2006 Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon – $16

I am a fan of the wines made by Charles Smith Wines.  He is doing some really cool things with wine at a affordable price. This Cab is sourced from a vineyard in Columbia Valley, Washington. 85% Cabernet, 10% Malbec and 5% Cab Franc, kind of low alcohol for a Cab, only 13.5 %.

Now this is a cool climate Cabernet Sauvignon, if you are going to measure this against a Napa or Sonoma Cab you are going to be taken aback. Not oaky and with smooth tannins, tastes of black and blueberries and chocolate covered cherries. Tastes smooth, not thick, has a nice finish that is nuanced. Charles Smith says that this is not a Bordeaux wine this is a Washington wine, which I take to mean he is turning the terroir thing around on the French.

This is a Cab that would appeal to Barossa Valley Shiraz lovers. Very fruit forward, but still has some complexity. Untwist the screw-top and your ready to go.

Columbia Crest Chardonnay 2006

I get a lot of golden butter on the nose but no fruit which makes the nose a little boring to me. In the mouth I tried hard to find some flavor but only found a bronzed butter taste that dominated my palate. If you can’t tell already, I didn’t like this wine.

I bought this wine because it was highly rated and cheaply priced. In fact I bought 3 bottles of this wine before I ever tasted it and learned an important lesson which is – don’t buy a bunch of highly rated wine before you know you like it!

Price: $9.95
Vintage: 2006
Varietal: Chardonnay
Country: USA – Washington
Cheap Wine Rating: 80

Buy it here:  Liquor Outlet

cheap wine reviews, white wine, Chardonnay

Columbia Winery Cellarmaster’s Riesling 2007

So fruity and sweet. This wine is the perfect summer afternoon sweet wine to drink on the porch. I bought this bottle at Wegmans grocery store. I bought this Read more