We go through a lot of wine in our household.  Now before you get the wrong idea, let me add that it’s usually no more than a glass (roughly 6 – 8 ounces) a day.  But between my wife and me, we can easily consume about 4 – 5 bottles a week.  And as you can imagine, the neighbors just love to hang out at our place, particularly with all the great wine.  So 4 -5 bottles can easily turn into 8 – 9 a week.  That can add up, particularly if you like the expensive stuff.  But having a restaurant in the family has it’s advantages, and none better than being able to buy wine at wholesale!

So, recently we were running a little low, which prompted me to begin searching for good, high value reds to stock the cellar with.  My dad, who now handles all the wine buying duties at the restaurant, had actually just sampled the latest MontGras Cabernet, the 2009; and, he recommended that I pick up a case to replenish our stock.  So I splurged, solely on his recommendation, having not tasted the wine.  But I wasn’t too concerned.  I figured that if he thought is was good (and he has great taste), that, most importantly, my wife would love it.

So, as I finally got around to tasting the MontGras, and reviewing it here for Cheap Wine Ratings, I noticed that what was once a stock of nine bottles (MontGras Cabernet Sauvignon comes in a nine bottle case) was now only two!  Where did all the MontGras go?  Well, let’s just say my wife really loved it.  But how good was it really?  Let’s find out.

On the nose the MontGras offers rich currant, vanilla and traces of other black fruit, but I was also picking up heavy levels of must.  Is this what my wife was loving so much?  Or, could I have gotten the one corked bottle that’s presumably in every case.  Well before I began seriously doubting my wife’s taste in wine, the mustiness had cleared.  Maybe it was me.  Maybe there was some taint, but the wine wasn’t the worse for it after a bit of breathing.

On the palate the wine offers up fine, yet lush tannins with a deep dark fruit core on the mid-palate.  This fruit is cradled in roast coffee bean and peat, but it’s not harsh at all.  On the contrary, this is a very smooth wine for as much as it has going on.  The MontGras is actually quite complex, and offers great balance for the money.  Ok, now I know why my wife loved it so much.

The MontGras is a crowd pleaser.  It will provide something for those looking for some character and complexity, but it will also satisfy those who are looking for an easy drinking red, and quite nicely I might add.  Which reminds me.  I need to order another case.

A  Salute!

Wine: MontGras
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2009
Alcohol: 14.5%
Rating: 88
Price:  $11.00

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