Handcraft, Artist Collection, Cabernet Sauvignon – Like Cherries & Chocolate

A few weeks ago I wrote about the Handcraft Inspiration Red, a tasty little red blend.  So I thought I’d check out another wine from the Handcraft family, their cabernet sauvignon.

I come across a lot of people who love cabernet sauvignon and for many it is their “go to” red wine.  Like many wines, it can come to life in a range of personalities.  But one thing that tends to be fairly consistent is that it’s often a big, bold wine.  A wine that’s not about subtleties.  And I’d say that’s true of this one.

For many wine lovers, California cabernet sauvignon is where it’s at.  But what differentiates the good ones from the great ones?  For me there are a number of factors, but a couple that tend to stand out with cabernet are balance and mouthfeel.  When you have a big, bold wine it can sometimes be too bold in some aspects — thereby not having great balance.  And a really silky mouthfeel can give the wine a texture that makes it stand apart from other wines.

In both of those categories, this wine does OK but not exceptional.  It has good complexity and fruit and it’s overall an easy wine to drink but is a touch off with its balance and the texture could be better.  That said, for the price it’s still darn good.

The nose of this wine is like chocolate covered cherries mixed with vanilla ice cream.  It’s powerful and pleasant, although the aromas are a bit on the sweet and spicy side.  The palate also reveals some residual sugar, with a noticeable sweetness,  although it’s still a “dry” wine and there’s a tartness to the fruit.  It’s like tart cherries with sugar sprinkled over them.  You taste both the sweet and the sour together, but the sweetness throws the balance off slightly.  Chocolate and some blackberry flavors also show up on the palate.  The acidity is great and the mouthfeel good.  It finishes with lingering cherry flavors.  Overall, it’s not an elegant wine but easy to drink and would be a good burger wine.

Wine: Handcraft, Artist Collection, Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: Syrah, zinfandel, merlot, malbec and sangiovese
Vintage: 2011
Alcohol: 14.5%
Rating: 85
Price: $11.00
Disclosure: This wine was received as a sample.

Find Handcraft, Artist Collection, Cabernet Sauvignon with Snooth