J. Lohr
Cabernet Sauvignon
Seven Oaks
Paso Robles, California, USA
2005
13.5%
$14.99 -- Harris Teeter, Durham, NCCabernet Sauvignon
Seven Oaks
Paso Robles, California, USA
2005
13.5%
Color: Deep red with purple tinge
Nose: Dark berries and cinnamon
Body: Firm
Front: Plums, a little grassy
Middle: Creamy vanilla, then graphite with tannins
Back: Chocolate, raspberry
Burns clean?: Yes
Cap: Cork
Nose: Dark berries and cinnamon
Body: Firm
Front: Plums, a little grassy
Middle: Creamy vanilla, then graphite with tannins
Back: Chocolate, raspberry
Burns clean?: Yes
Cap: Cork
Nice structure; for the price, this is a good Cabernet from a region that’s still underestimated. It benefits from a little air; the transitions from the fruit in the front to the less fruity tastes in the middle and again to the more tannic finish are a little edged (grassy or hot) early on. After about thirty minutes, and perhaps a little food, these subside and the layers begin to overlap. It’s more old-world in style than a lot of Californians.
Update: 2007 vintage, tasted 11-13-2009. It's still a good bargain, but this one you might wait a year to taste, or at least decant it for an hour. Decant a $14 wine?! Ferreal. It's extremely fruity, but there's a tannic presence that bodes well. All told, still a great food wine.
