CANNONBALL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006

Every now and again, you come across a wine that really surprises you. As a wine buyer for two retail wine stores, I taste a lot of wine each and every week, and it is easy to become jaded and cynical with the parade of tired, flabby wines that were concocted by get-rich-quick-schemers or big-Parker-points-chasers who fail to find their focus. Much to my chagrin, our good friend and LD alum, Devon Ward from OH/KY distributor Tramonte & Sons, showed Ray and I the Cannonball Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 from California. A really sexy red that is 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Petite Sirah, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Syrah, this inexpensive Cab has a lot to offer, considering we are all still in recovery-mode in this crappy economy. Who wouldn't like to get a good Cab for under $15?

Dark, robust and showing a surprisingly good level of concentration, this Cab demonstrates loads of blackberry, black cherry and baking spices in both the nose and on the palate. Red and black berry flavors continue through its long and satisfying finish. We'll be bringing it into our stores first week of October so look for it, and bring home a bottle or a case of this terrific new wine.