2008 Menage a Trois

Taste: 4/5
Value: 5/5
Price: $12

Half way through drinking a glass of this California Red blend, I realized I felt like I was drinking the juice of fresh plums and liking it! This wine exposes the fresh, ripe, jam-like fruit that is the calling card of California wine. Three saucy grapes make up the blend. Zinfandel adds a juicy character, Merlot mellows and Cabernet adds backbone. Forward, spicy and soft, this delicious dalliance makes the perfect trio. I'd like to try this wine again after decanting a couple of hours.

2003 Arbios Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $25

So, I would normally have trouble giving a $25 bottle of wine a 5/5 value rating, but given the fact that bought today, this 2003 bottle sells for $50 I will concede. I am learning that I much prefer Cabs from Rutherford CA, but Alexander Valley may be a close second. Arbios Cellars focuses on a single Bordeaux-style red wine, made from 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown on a mountain top vineyard in the Alexander Valley of Sonoma County. The Arbios Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted in classic Bordeaux-style to have moderate alcohol and good fruit character. This Cab is soft and pleasant, with ripe cherry, blackberry, raspberry and herb flavors that are well oaked. Just enough tannin without being astringent...decanting for a few hours may have helped with this.

2006 Gallo Sonoma Merlot

Taste: 3/5

Value: 4/5

Price: $13

Ok, I'll just say it, I'm just not a Merlot fan. It has nothing to do with the movie Sideways, the varietal just doesn't do much for me. This is a pleasant enough wine, fruity with a touch of oak.

86 Points GOOD VALUE, Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine - Here is an honest, if youthfully frontal, moderately fruity Merlot whose nominal themes of ripe cherries are seasoned by a deft touch of vanillin oak spice. Its immediate appeals nearly win it unqualified recommendation, yet its flavors are bothered by and become a little less amicable due to its last-minute astringency. Serve with a savory burger and set it right.
Winemaker Notes: Our Sonoma County Merlot showcases the softer, fuller and richer side of Merlot. The aromas are warm and inviting with hints of crushed berries, vanilla and spice. The palate follows with dark and deep flavors of blackberry pie, wild berries and jam with a lush, round mouthfeel.

2007 Toolbox Cabernet Sauvignon

Ahh, a wine with a story...although, don't they all have one, really? When in Napa a few weeks ago, my sister and I visited what I will refer to as the trifecta from Bottle Shock, a movie about how California won the Paris tasting years ago. We visited Chateau Montellena, Grgich (where the then winemaker is now) and Gustavo Thrace, the winery spin off by the lead character's friend. Toolbox is a brand by the Thrace half of Gustavo Thrace - Thrace Bromberger and two friends with the goal of making quality wines at an everyday drinking price. This is a very enjoyable wine. From the wine notes: this wine really, really delivers for the price point. It has a classic Cabernet nose layered with aromas of dark currants, a bit of mint and rich earth. It is 100% Cabernet and is everything we look for in this variety, along with a good dash of fresh fruit, earthiness and a lingering finish.