Wine Tasted on Friday, October 11, 2013, at 10 PM.

Sterling Vintner’s Collection Cabernet Sauvignon, 2010, Sonoma, Central Coast California. Purchased at CVS in Fort Lauderdale, FL for $11.69 (normally priced at $14.99). Alc. 13.5%.

This is a favorite stand-by of mine. Sterling Vineyards manages to somehow keep a consistent good quality over the seasons and years, despite the fact that it sources its grapes from many different vineyards in California’s best wine country. This Cab has a very good nose, with hints of sweetness, possibly from honey, but with a lot of complexity and a spicy feel. It feels very smooth to the palate, and a number of flavors of berries come strongly forward upon first tasting it. Despite a deep red color that portends a certain heaviness as expected from a Cab, it is actually quite light. Its goes down very easily and its low tannins make for a pleasant drinking  experience, with or without food. With food, it should be paired with relatively light dishes, such as salads or vegetarian fare.

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