Trinchero, Family Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, 2001

From the bottle, this Trinchero cabernet is made from grapes harvested from all over California (US). By percentage, they come from 51% Lake, 17% Monterey, 15% Santa Barbara, 10% San Luis Obispo, and 7% Napa. From the best I can tell, it is pretty close to 100% cab with 13.5 percent alcohol by volume.

Where did I find it: Purchased at Fry’s Food and Drug Store.

What did I pair it with: a plate of various cheeses

Appearance: A deep garnet red color with heavy legs

Smell: Dusty blackburrant and cedar aromas.

Taste: It starts with sour cherries and smooth tannins, creating a decent mouthfeel, ending with short, dry, chalky finish.

Price: $9.79
Quality rating: 84/100
Value rating: 47.11/60

Takeaway: All in all, this wine isn’t half bad. Granted, 2001 was an incredible year for California cabs, so it is difficult to say if the quality will show through in other vintages. Is it worth $10? Sure. Are there better cabs out there for $10? Yes.