by Ethan Johnson
December 7, 2008

I searched high and low for this wine after mistakenly choosing the lesser version of this varietal, only to discover that one of our other stores sold it. I moved some bottles over to my store and held one out for myself (paid for, of course). I can't keep this wine in stock. Seriously - it sells out every time I re-stock. Let's pull the cork on some:

Producer (Vineyard): Avalon
Varietal (Grape type): Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage (Year): 2005
Country: USA (California)
Color: Red
Cost: Moderate ($14 USD)

Swirl and Sniff: The color is dark purple. I caught alcohol, cherries, plums, and tree bark off of the glass as I made my way through the bottle.

Taste: Very plummy. Light to medium tannins. Without food, the finish was pretty smooth and rather forgettable, really.

Pairing: I paired this with a slow-cooked roast and mashed potatoes. The wine became incredibly astringent with food. Even the meat, which arguably would have been the dream pairing compared to the potatoes.

Rating: When it comes to this wine, I would (and you may):

• Buy three or more bottles for regular enjoyment
• Buy a bottle or two for occasional enjoyment
• Ask for when dining out or at a party
• Settle for if your preferred wine is not available
• Politely decline and never drink again, ever

Compared to the seeds and stems version of this varietal from this producer, yes, it was an upgrade. But I am giving it a split rating as I am disinclined to drink this with food. As a solo sipper, it was an "okay" wine but for this price point I think I'd like to be happier with my selection. Maybe drinking it as a nightcap or as a social thing would be the best option with this wine, for me.

If you do give this a try, please let me know how your experience compared with mine. Thanks! <EM>

(The Totally Unpretentious Wine Reviews Index may be found here.)