Three Cabernet’s From Three regions

Substance Cs Cabernet 2018 – Washington.

Produced by one of Washington’s most awarded wine makers, Charles Smith who looks more like he should be on the cover of an Eagles album that heading a successful winery. Six years ago, he launched the Substance brand with the single goal of making the best value-priced Cabernet in America and he is well on the way to achieving that goal. If you’re not familiar with this Cabernet this is an excellent introduction.

His Cs Cabernet is made the old-fashioned way with natural fermentations, barrel-aging and bottled unfiltered and unfined allowing a deeper richer more flavorful wine to emerge from the barrels.  

After being enticed by the aromas of dark fruits to take my first sip this is a really impressive wine: full bodied with wonderful structure, totally approachable, polished tannins with a smooth inviting mouthfeel. Blackberries, Cassis and blueberries dominate with dark cherries with just a hint of tobacco and spices to round things out. After a third sip I had to remind myself this is an under $20 bottle of wine.

Will cellar out to 2027 without a concern. Pair with red meats on the grill, beef stews, Italian red meat Pasta dishes or a cheese platter and friends.

Rating: 93 Pt- James Suckling

Vina Robles Mountain Road Reserve Cabernet 2017 – Paso Robles

The fruit for this elegant wine is sourced from on Adelaida Springs Ranch, at an elevation of 1,700 feet and only 12 miles from the Pacific Coast. It is almost all Cabernet 94% with just 6% of Petit Verdot added, then barrel aged for 20 months before bottling unfiltered and unfined allowing a deeper richer more flavorful wine to emerge from the barrels.

This is a big bold lush Cabernet with Paso stamped all over it. Before you even pick up the glass you can smell the aromas of ripe dark fruits, sweet raspberries and boysenberry pouring out the glass convince you this is going to be good. One sip and the bar has been raised again with luscious mouthfuls of blackberries, black raspberries and mulberries with secondary notes of blueberries and licorice. An absolute delight to drink and value driven at under $50. Will cellar out to 2030 without a problem. Pair this with your favorite red meat dishes or drink it on its own- wonderful.

94 Pt: Wine Enthusiast

Spring Mountain Cabernet 2016

Originally three separate vineyards established in 1873, the Draper Vineyards (La Perla) consisting of 435 acres was the first site of Cabernet plantings on Spring Mountain. Interesting side note: part of the La Perla estate incorporates the first vineyard planted by Fredrick and Jacob Beringer in 1882. All that being said, there is some serious winemaking history behind this winery not to mention numerous accolades.

I’ve been fortunate enough to taste several vintages of this wine since moving to the States and I have to say the 2016 (great vintage) is an absolute delight to drink, I have a soft spot for this wine, it has never disappointed me and the 2016 is no exception. Considered to be one of the best vintages of the decade, riveling the 2012 vintage this is extraordinary opportunity to grab yourself an exceptional Cabernet made from Mountain fruit (restrained and elegant) from an excellent vintage by a great winery.

The nose is a gold edged invitation to enjoy multiply layers of dark fruits before venturing to take your first sip. Blackberries and just a smattering of black cherries, black current with bay leaf and spices tying this wonderful nose off.

The palate exhibits silky smooth mouthfeel, ripe blackberries, black current, dark cherries, graphite and sweet tobacco on an exceptionally long finish. Beautiful balance with elegance and grace to the last drop. If you’re not familiar with Spring Mountain, this is the perfect introduction. At the very least, an exceptional opportunity to acquire a wonderful bottle of wine, or more, for future memories.

Should cellar out to 2030 without a problem with only improvement to spare.

95 pt: Wine Spectator.