Wine: Slingshot Cabernet Sauvignon
Winemaker: Slingshot
Vintage: 2014
Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: £22

A deep blackberry, blackcurrant, raspberry and licorice bomb on the nose, we’re talking black cracked pepper and rich black fruits flowing from the glass. This is one of the most representative ‘Californian Cabernet Sauvignon” noses I have come across in the UK, so my intrigue levels are already peaking. Upon taste there’s that wonderful sweet glaze that covers the palate, backed by an incredible acidity and tannin base.

We’re talking raspberry compote, cedar wood, vanilla bean and an incredibly fresh backbone of ripe meadow fruits picked straight from the forest. The tannins come into play right at the finish a slight coating that gives a smooth finesse to this magnificent wine. As far as I’m concerned this is one of the top affordable Californian wines in the UK and needs to be explored.

Wine: Sonoma County Zinfandel
Winemaker: Seghesio
Vintage: 2014
Variety: 100% Zinfandel
Price: £21.99

It's pretty damn hard to find a decent quality Californian Zinfandel in the UK that isn't mind blowingly expensive; in most cases it's a hell of a lot easier to plump for a Southern Italian Primitivo instead, it's also usually easier to find a quality example and normally at around two thirds of the cost.

At first this exhibited a certain ruggedness and displayed rather dank aromas, not what I was expecting, but it settled in time and I'm pleased to report it is a thoroughly lovely wine. Not typical of the usual jammy, rich and intensely extracted flavours that this variety is known for, but instead more refined, elegant and dare I say it, more complex.

Baked plums and black cherry on the nose and palate, with subtle aniseed and liquorice employing a wonderful savoury element, adding balance and taming the sweet red fruits beautifully. A silky smooth texture, with oily dense legs, quite the sight when consumed in decent stemware. The tannins at first are little overwhelming, but a good (3hr+) decant will soften them amply; the acidity is linear, but sufficient enough to temper the sweetness, the flavour and aroma intensity pronounced and the finish exquisitely lengthy.

A great wine from a family producer boasting five generations of quality wine production. This would be great with a damn good cheeseburger or rib of beef!

Viva Seghesio!

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