X Winery Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

The general rule here is that most reviews are for wines that are $20 and under, but I have to admit that that’s not all I drink.  After all, how could I legitimately compare bargain wines to higher-priced ones if I never tasted those.  And every now and then I get samples sent to me for wines that are just over my general price limit.  This is one of those occasions and I’m not going to exclude it just based on price.  If it’s out of your personal price range, then don’t buy it.  But I know that a lot of readers here have a pretty broad price range, and they come here to get ideas for bargains or just to find tasty wines to try.  And I would actually spring a couple extra bucks for this wine.

We’ve reviewed a number of X Winery wines in the past, and admittedly I have yet to find one that I don’t love.  X Winery is based in Napa, California and they produce Amicus wines—which are more high-end (i.e. more expensive) than those just labeled under the X Winery brand.

One thing that I can’t remember if I’ve mentioned about X Winery before is the fact that they use FSC certified corks.  The FSC is the Forest Stewardship Council and their certification of the corks is basically an endorsement that the corks were harvested by a cork producer that uses environmentally friendly and sustainable production methods.  While you’ll read a lot about sustainable wine farming and production, there’s a lot more that goes into getting wine to you than just the juice.  This is one more step toward sustainability that a wine producer can take.

But enough chat about corks, let’s taste the wine!!!

The intensity and depth on the nose of this Cabernet Sauvignon is awesome.  It’s a little bit dusty, with toasted oak aromas, blackberry, plum and tea leaf.  The aromas are a little bit on the earthy-side—which I love—but that’s not at all saying that it’s void of fruit.  The flavors start with a big cherry pop… no, wait, let me clarify… it doesn’t taste like cherry pop, rather cherry flavors pop out on your palate.  After the cherry, plum flavors come to life. The mouth feel is rich and velvety.  The tannins leave a silky feel on your tongue long after you swallow (or spit, if you’re doing a tasting).

It might be a little pricey for true bargain hunters, but in terms of quality-to-price ratio, it’s a good wine.

Wine: X Winery Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2007
Alcohol: 14.9%
Rating: 90
Price: $24.99

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Disclosure: This wine was received as a sample.