If you’re a regular reader you may recall my review of McManis Petite Sirah a couple months ago. I was so thrilled with it that I had to try another varietal from them and I wasn’t disappointed.
Since I already gave a little background on McManis in my previous post, I’ll keep this post brief and won’t repeat the details. If you’re really interested, check out the McManic Family Vineyard website.
I really enjoyed this Cabernet Sauvignon. In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, this has a bit of Petite Verdot.
It showed herbal features on the nose, made up of tea leaf and eucalyptus. It was a bit dusty and very jammy on both the nose and palate. The palate is almost a fruit bomb with dark berries galore. Particularly it has strong blackberry and currant flavors. Critics may say that it has too much fruit for a Cabernet Sauvignon, but I though it was reasonable. The finish is silky, although a bit short.
All told I gave it an 89 and would recommend it at $9.99.
Wine: McManis Family Vineyards
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2006
Alcohol: 13.5%
Rating: 89
Price Paid: $9.99
When drinking a wine for under $10, I don’t want an average experience. Rather, I expect it to be life changing. The thrill of finding and enjoying great wines, and I do mean great, at this price point can be hard to beat . One such treasure-trove of a wine for me last year was the McManis 2005 (not 2006) Cabernet Sauvignon. It delivered a consistently magical, spritual, mysterious yet giggling experience every time I tried it. This is the type of experience (epiphany???) I expect from
but have yet to have delivered to me by any French Bordeaux, or Napa Cab (The 2005 McManis cab was rated 89 by Robert Parker, I believe–my rating was infinity).
Another joy related to this beauty was its consistency. Every bottle was delicious and provided that same thrill and thoughts in me like “I can’t believed I’m drinking such a great wine–I am spell bound–I am so lucky to be alive–and it only cost between $7.99 and $9.99!” The 2005 McManis cab had brambly herbs, blackberry patch, pepper and mysterious spice box on the nose with vibrant flavors of dark and deep blue fruits, dusty chocolate, pepper and a slight, alluring touch of black cherry. It reminded me of a Stolpman Syrah, only it was much better than the Stolpman.
Alas, when I tried the rest of the McManis reds and whites available last year , including the 2006 Cab, none of them seemed worth a second purchase.
Nevertheless, thanks for this web site. I just discovered it, love it and look forward to relating with the site’s ratings and dialogues.