A Super Bargain Cabernet - Under $5
Written: Nov 14 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Ranked a "Must Buy" in a blind tasting of 36 value-priced California Cabenet Sauvignons.
Cons: You may have to look hard to find it. Check the bottom shelves.
The Bottom Line: A super bargain and excellent performer -- confidently recommended: Forestville Cabernet Sauvignon, California, 2001.
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| 4-1-1's Full Review: Forestville Cabernet Sauvignon California 2001 |
Want a good California Cabernet for about $5 or less? Well, I've got a recommendation for you....
The Bronco Wine Company is the fifth largest producer of wine in America--producing as many as 20,000,000 cases per year, about half of which is sold off to other "wine companies."
Never heard of them? Bronco is the famous maker of Charles Shaw, the "Two Buck Chuck". It specializes in the under $8/bottle "grocery store" wine market. Some of its popular brands include Forestville, Forest Glen, Rutherford Vintners, Estrella, Silver Ridge, Fox Hollow, Domaine Napa, Napa Creek, Napa Ridge, J.W. Morris, Black Mountain, as well as several others.
Bronco has been garnering a lot of attention lately--not only for its super-bargain priced wine, but also for its Double Gold, Best of Class wines like its Napa Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2001 (winner at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition).
The wine I am writing about today was selected as a "California Must Buy" Cabernet Sauvignon as judged by The Quarterly Review of Wines. In the magazine's Summer 2004 edition, the QRW Tasting Staff selected a $6 bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon from Forestville to be one of the best tried of 36 wines tasted blind.
I typically find Bronco's Forestville brands on the bottom shelves at my local supermarkets. It is not unusual for me to find a bottle of it plainly-labeled varietals for under $5 and, sometimes, for as little as $2.99.
If there is one negative thing that can be said of the Forestville line is that its labels are surprisingly dull and plain: high-gloss battleship gray in color with simple gold trim and very little other ornamentation or information displayed other than the brand name, appellation (in this case, "California"), varietal type, vintage, and approximate alcohol content.
Forestville Cabernet Sauvignon, California, 2001
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According to the label, "ForestVille varietal wines are produced from the finest vineyards in Northern California. The soil composition and climate combine with modern viticultural technique and meticulous attention to detail to produce wines with abundant flavor and exceptional varietal character. We firmly believe that our quest for quality begins in the vineyard." All that fluff aside, Bronco is--in fact--a serious "bulk producer" of wine, so you can be sure that this is not a hand-crafted, small lot, small barrel wine. Evenso, 2001 was a good growing year in California and Cabernet Sauvignon was the top ranking red grape varietal crushed for wine production during the year.
This is a 12.5% alcohol by volume wine that pours with a deep ruby color possessing some dark lavender tones at the edges. The wine possesses fully-extracted color and looks attractive in the glass. To the nose, there is presented a soft cherry-vanilla-cream aroma with a light hint of pepper. To the tongue, there are bright, almost piquant cherry, raspberry, and cranberry flavors; the taste is fruity and fresh, medium-bodied, and possessing a gentle character when compared to more alcoholic Cabs possessing 13.5% or more alcohol by volume.
As to the finish, this is a complete wine with a long, cherry fruit finish with just a light touch of acid grip. Not complex, but harmonious with what it offers. A nicely made, almost graceful wine... considering what it is: a bulk wine.
Price and Availability: Purchased on special sale for only $2.99/bottle at Stater Brothers (Whittier, CA), and later for $3.99 at a Vons grocery store (Montebello, CA). The suggested retail price for this wine is $6/bottle, but it competes in quality with wines that are priced twice as high.
Recommendations: A super performer in its price class and a wine I have enjoyed every time I've opened a bottle. If you are entertaining large groups, this is the wine to buy. Confidently recommended. I do not hesitate buying this wine whenever I see it for sale under $5; it's a great "everyday drinker." Just about the only red wine--under $6--that I think out-classes this wine is Columbia Crest's "Two Vines" Shiraz, Columbia Valley, 2001 (a "90" point phenomenon).
Look also for Bronco's Estrella Cabernet Sauvignon, California, 2001. It, too, retails for about $6/bottle and was selected as one of the best under-$10 "California Must Buy" wines by the Quarterly Review of Wines.
Verdict:
Appearance: 4/5
Aroma: 17/20
Flavor/Body: 34/40
Finish: 8/10
Overall Quality: 22/25
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My Score: 85 -- 4 stars. A great value.
Compare to:
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Gallo of Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County, 2000
Appearance: 4/5 - dark crimson, fully extracted color
Aroma: 17/20 - dark cherry, currants
Flavor/Body: 35/40 - bright acidity, fruit-forward, dark berry and cherry
Finish: 8/10 - a little sharp with a lingering, spicy raspberry
Overall Quality: 22/25
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My Score: 86 -- 4 stars.
Price and Availability: Available nationwide. About $10-$12/bottle
Recommended:
Yes
Year: 2001
Winery Name: Forestville (Bronco Wine Company)
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Designation: California
Country: USA
State or Region: California
County or Appellation: California
Price: 6
Wine Rating Scale: A solid performer
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Epinions.com ID:
4-1-1
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 - Top 50 |
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Member: Tom Carr
Location: Southern California
Reviews written: 1090
Trusted by: 689 members
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