2014 Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon – Organic Grapes
2014 Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon – Organic
Within the last couple of weeks, we took two trips to the Napa Valley to visit some extraordinary wineries. We tasted four Cabernet wines that retailed for well over $100 a bottle. Lucky us! Maybe you are thinking I am going to rate the 2014 Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon almost as good. Nope, the Bonterra is as different as night and day from these high-end Napa Cabs. What I like about the Bonterra Cab is that I can afford it and I don’t feel guilty drinking it.
I purchased the Bonterra Cabernet and several other wines at the St. Helena Safeway. The Bonterra cost me $10.99. This morning, I stopped in at the Burlingame Safeway and found the same Bonterra Cabernet selling for $11.99. Why the difference? The Safeway says the retail price is $17.99, but is more likely around $13. Check the Wine-Searcher.com for market data.
Tasting Notes – 2014 Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon
The Bonterra Cabernet is a blend of organic Cabernet grapes from Mendocino County (64%), Lake County (24%), and San Luis Obispo County (12%). The aroma is average at best; nothing pops from the glass. However, on the palate, the wine is very good. It is not complex or deep as the $100 Cabs we tasted, but it is decent enough to be very tasty. It does have Cab-like flavors, good acidity, and adequate finish or aftertaste. I would buy this wine again and not be worried about serving it to guests. The price point makes me like this wine a great deal. I love organic, so it’s a bonus. I rate it at 88 Points.
Bonterra is a Fetzer Winery
Bonterra is part of the Fetzer wine division. Bonterra and Fetzer were founded by the Fetzer Family, and they are the ones who pioneered the organic and biodynamic scene in Mendocino County. They sold Fetzer in 1992 to Brown-Forman for a bundle. In 2011, Brown-Forman sold the winery to the Chilean winery Concha y Toro. I am excited that I will be able to tour the organic vineyards of Fetzer and Bonterra in November. It’s a Wine Bloggers Pre-Conference event, and it should be very enjoyable. Stay tuned for my report in late November.
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