Confidently Recommended - A Super Performer in its Price Range
Written: Apr 07 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Nice structure, very appealing black cherry fruit flavor, medium bodied, ready for consumption.
Cons: Becoming difficult to find; I found no faults.
The Bottom Line: I bought the 1998 M.G. Vallejo Cabernet Sauvignon on a couple of occasions this year. I am impressed by this value-priced performer. Confidently recommended.
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| 4-1-1's Full Review: M.G. Vallejo Cabernet Sauvignon California 1998 |
M.G. Vallejo is a brand owned The Wine Group. This brand, as well as the widely-available Glen Ellen brand, were formerly owned by Diageo (of London, England).
This is an excellent, bargain-priced California Cabernet that will appeal to a wide-spectrum of wine drinkers. It's well made and I think it out-performs a number of better-known grocery store wines. I bought this wine at a bargain price.
M.G. Vallejo Cabernet Sauvignon, 1998
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Alcohol: 12.5% by volume. East to put down and appealing to a wide audience of drinkers.
Production: This California Cabernet Sauvignon is produced using fruit harvested from several different Central Coast vineyards in the counties of Paso Robles, Monterey, Santa Barbara and San Benito.
Appearance: Garnet.
Aroma: Black cherry, currants, pepperwood spice and a light cedary tone. Appealing. Thumbs up from me.
Flavor: A medium bodied wine with luxurious cherry and currant tones, silky tannins and a velvety mouthfeel. A well-made wine with excellent character, with a long, fruity finish. Nicely structured and well balanced for a grocery store wine. I dig this wine!
Price and Availability: I purchased this wine at a Big Lots! location in South Riverside County. Close-out priced at $2.99 per bottle -- a fantastic bargain.
Recommendations: Ready to drink now; no further cellar aging is required. I drank different bottles of this wine on two occasions and my tasting notes were consistent. An inexpensive performer that I, lately, paired with my evening meal of Spaghetti Bolognese. It would also work well with grilled beef. I am really impressed by this wine and am looking to buy more. You will not embarrass yourself if you bring this wine to a house-warming celebration or a party. It is very well made.
Verdict:
Appearance: 4/5
Aroma: 22/25
Flavor: 35/40
Body: 7/10
Overall Quality: 18/20
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My Score: 86 -- 4 stars.
I rate this wine as being better than the 1998 vintages of
Bonterra North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon or Clos Du Bois Cabernet Sauvignon - both of which I pegged as 3-star performers.
From the label: "This wine celebrates the life of General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, the last Mexican Governor of Northern California. M.G. Vallejo wines are the result of careful grape selection and dedicated winemaking. We think the General would be pleased! Our Cabernet Sauvignon is a beautiful deep garnet color full of berry and spice flavors. It is a medium bodied wine that may be enjoyed with your favorite recipe or by itself."
Now, compare to the Buena Vista Cabernet Sauvignon California, 2000 -- a wine I purchased for more than twice the price.
Alcohol: 13.0% by volume
Appearance: Bright ruby
Aroma: Currants, cedar, dry herbs and tobacco.
Flavor: Raspberries, currants; slight vegetal and herb flavors accent the mid-palate, but ends with a pleasant, fresh fruit finish with smooth tannins.
Price and Availability: I purchased this wine for $6.99 (plus tax) at Trader Joe's Market in Murrieta, California. It is available in wide distribution and should be fairly easy to find.
Verdict:
Appearance: 4/5
Aroma: 20/25
Flavor: 34/40
Body: 7/10
Overall Quality: 16/20
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My Score: 81 -- 3½ stars. I was a little put off by some of the vegetal tones I detected in the flavor.
Cheers! Buy the '98 M.G. Vallejo if you can find it for under $5/bottle. What a deal!
Recommended:
Yes
Year: 1998
Winery Name: MG Vallejo Winery
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Country: USA
State or Region: California
County or Appellation: "California"
Price: under $8
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: 690 members
About Me:
Go U.S.C.!!!
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