Extremely good value. Very ripe red fruits on the nose. On the palette it's medium-bodied, full of dark fruit and finishes with a nice amount of oak spice. Tannins are present but fine and not overwhelming. Enjoyed with beef medallions.
Great value
Aromas of cassis and black pepper. Even though the nose was not too complexed for me, the flavor was spot on. I enjoyed the combination of the dark fruit flavors, with the perfect hit of tannins (not too soft not too harsh) and acidity. Over all, a nice balance.
This wine did not improve throughout the evening so I see no reason to decant.
Tasted August 2021
I was somewhat disappointed tasting this as it's one of my favourite value Cali Cabs, particularly with the good critic reviews and LCBO sale. But it seems to me overly smoky and oaky. Not quite integrated and maybe with time will get better (it's still a baby). There's decent complexity, that cabernet cassis fruit with some cherry notes, an herbal bitterness, some lift with good acidity and very good length, but the fruit is almost prune like and there's that overt smoke which is out of balance for me. Could this be the result of the many wildfires in Santa Barbara in recent years? Sept 2020.
Very muted and short. Decided to put some age on it - not worth the wait.