The supermarket is not the place to find interesting wine; just lots of generic tasting juice with clever labels. But once per week I like to review a wine that most people drink and so scouring supermarket shelves is a weekly habit. And every once in a while the distributor has something really interesting to unload.
I just happened to stumble on this little beauty from Hungary in a Sprouts Market. A great nose with bold, black cherry, smoke, and loam topped off with cumin seed. A nice oak program and some age does wonders, although it is rare to find an inexpensive wine that carries its age this well. The medium bodied palate is edgy with licorice notes and cedar wrapped around black currant. Sharp and angular with high acidity, yet full of flavor, the tannins are softening but still give the finish plenty of length.
Beautiful but rustic like a country girl all dressed up for the prom.
For $5 it doesn’t get any better. A blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon and 31% Cabernet Franc.
Price: $5
Score: 88
Alc: 13.5
Exploring the Philosophy of Food and Wine 