At the risk of sounding like a Captain Obvious, this is a juggernaut of a bottle: it’s taller, broader, and much heavier than the average wine bottle today, which lends the wine a certain feel of grandeur. In fact, this is not a grand wine, but a very approachable cabernet sauvignon, made with grapes from four California wine regions – hillsides, of course, which are said to be where the best vineyards are located. And it is made by Bogle, a well-respected family winery headquartered outside of Sacramento.
The wine is a deep, reddish purple in color. It has polished dark red fruits in the flavor, with elements of eucalyptus, white pepper, cocoa and plenty of wood influence. Grippy tannins and a medium finish round out the description: appropriate for a wine that spends 12-18 months in new French oak barrels. The current vintage, 2015, is drinking well right now.
Pairs well with lasagna, eggplant parmesan, sausage, and other hearty dishes.
90 -Becky Sue Epstein
WHO: The Bogle Family’s Juggernaut Wines
WHAT: cabernet sauvignon
WHERE: Livermore Valley, Sierra Foothills, Alexander Valley and Lake County, California
HOW MUCH: $21 (media sample)
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