I’ve been in love with Californian red wines for as long as I can remember, a love that was bonded in oak during a visit to the Napa Valley in 2019, despite the eye-watering prices.
With many bottles routinely costing more than $100, the Napa isn’t a cheap date but thankfully there are regions such as Monterey where you can still buy a decent Cabernet for less than the cost of a secondhand car.
In fact, despite starting the year with a bottle of 2012 Opus One, California first growth (with a price to match), I’ve just had a £17 bottle from the Monterey that I think is currently my favourite wine of the year so far and I imagine it will be hard to beat.
The wine in question is the Franciscan and I rarely say this but it completely blew my mind, especially for the price.
Franciscan Cabernet Sauvignon
This is a stunning wine with layer upon layer of cassis and plums. Almost perfectly balanced with hints of caramel and a velvety finish. It would be divine at three times the price but at £17 it’s the steal of the year. My advice: buy it while you can.
Ocado £17
Bogle California Petite Syrah
By heck, this is an intense wine, but an easily enjoyable one at that. Quite flowery on the nose, with a palate full of bramble jam, cocoa and vanilla oak. Gorgeous.
The Wine Society £14.50
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