• Earlier this week I had the opportunity to taste a terrific Cabernet Sauvignon from one of California’s upcoming but lesser known wine regions, Paso Robles.  I was so impressed by the 2009 Niner Paso Robles Bootjack Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon that it became this month’s Worth a Splurge Wine of the Month.  Retailing for approximately $30, the 2009 Niner Cab Sav drinks like a much more expensive wine which packs lots of complexity and a surprisingly lengthy and satisfying finish into the bottle.  This young Big Red is best with a 45 to 60 minute period to breathe after popping the cork, following which the wine opens up beautifully.  I tasted both red fruit and blueberries, with a tasty hint of pepper, followed by an oaky, vanilla finish.  While many Paso Robles winemakers prefer to focus on Rhone varietals such as Syrahs and Grenaches, Niner joins its neighbor Justin in producing a quality Cab Sav that will compete with those from Napa and Sonoma.  I have seen the 2009 Niner Bootjack Ranch Cabernet at a large warehouse club retailer for a substantial discount, making this Paso Robles a serious value.  Steven Tanzer, a notoriously hard grader, loved the 2009 Niner and awarded it a strong 90 rating, while the 2013 Los Angeles International Wine Competition awarded the wine a 93 rating and a gold medal.   At this price, clever wine sleuths can afford to splurge for several bottles!
(Visited 34 times, 1 visits today)