Winemaker: American Vintners (Monterey County, CA)
Vintage: 2019
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon (grapes harvested in Lodi CA)
This is one of those rare (to me) wines where the nose and palate tell two different stories. The nose was intense, as soon as I opened the bottle I was greeted with rich scents of cocoa and toasted vanilla, followed by blackberry, plum and other dark fruits. The nose promised a rich, full bodied experience – the classic California Cab Sauvignon.
On the other hand, the palate reveals something surprising – this is a lean Cabernet Sauvignon, with not much of body to speak of. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, the fruit is delightful, and there are some notes of cinnamon and clove. The tannins are very subtle and apply just enough presence to give the wine some sort of structure. If you find most California Cab Sauv’s to be too stodgy and overwrought, with prominent tannins, then Bougie is definitely worth a try. However, if you are looking for the classic feel of the California Cab, what I usually like to call a heavy overcoat, you’ll probably want to look elsewhere. For my money, I am enjoying this with a pepperoni and sausage pizza. Very tasty!
Ed's Wineglass Adventures 