Mirassou Cabernet Sauvignon – Loads of Licorice

A blend of primarily Cabernet Sauvignon along with a little bit of Merlot from California.

Sample submitted for review. SRP of $12 and available for as low as $7.

From the bottle:

“Offering intense flavors of black cherry and dark chocolate with elegant licorice aromas, Mirassou Cabernet Sauvignon is a unique expression of California’s most celebrated growing regions.

This wine pairs beautifully with filet mignon, lamb, or hearty pastas and embodies the optimistic spirit passed down through six generations of America’s oldest winemaking family. Enjoy!

13.5% Alcohol”

Cabernet Sauvignon — The King. One of the most popular varieties in the world and a grape that is grown in just about every wine producing region. This hardy, relatively easy to grow grape is a child of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It is known for its thick skin which not only helps to protect it but also contributes to higher levels of tannins in the resulting wine (and perhaps higher levels of reservatrol as well). It’s these tannins which help to give Cabernet Sauvignon its unique flavor along with its extraordinary ability to age.

It’s easy to see why Cabernet has become so popular. But popularity does not equal quality and there is a large amount of awful Cabernet out there, especially on the low end of the price range. No worries about that with today’s wine. Like the Mirassou Merlot we reviewed previously today’s Cabernet from Mirassou is also very nice for the price.

The 2009 Mirassou Cabernet Sauvignon begins with aromas of ripe plum, black pepper, vanilla and loads of licorice. The wine tastes pretty good with flavors of mixed berries and dried herbs. There is a fair amount of oak coming through as well as soft tannins and a bit of spice. The finish is on the sweet side and lasts for quite awhile.

See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.