LCBO Sale Pick of the Week: Oct. 29

Wakefield 2014 Promised Land Cabernet Sauvignon (South Australia)

Sale $12.70, Regular $14.70
Discount (until Nov. 8): $2.00
LCBO # 358838 | 750 mL bottle

Tastes like: Soft but bold classic Cabernet, with blackberry, plum, vanilla and cocoa.
Pairs with: An action movie and some nice take-out. Veal sandwich, Bolognese, samosa.
Good for: House parties.
Alcohol: 13.5%
Drink: Now.

Why we're drinking this
Because we like seahorses? OK, though critter labeling invites my kneejerk derision most times, this is one pretty seahorse, all glittery and blue. A well-designed label like this on an under-$15 wine indicates massive amounts of cash. Sure enough, Wakefield is a humongous Australian winemaker, aka Taylors Wines in the southern hemisphere. Big they are, but they come by it naturally. The label was founded in 1969 by Bill Taylor and his sons, and has been growing ever since. The seahorses are honest too: they found the fossilized little blighters in the vineyard. What’s all this mean to the wines? Not much, but this Cabernet Sauvignon is damn good. Which is all that matters, right?

Tasting note
Bright and bold classic Cabernet Sauvignon notes of plum, bell pepper, blackberry and pine. Cocoa is there too, a Wakefield signature. It’s pretty much a textbook example of under-$20 South Australia Cabernet, and you won’t do much better for the price. There’s some nice cassis and blueberry, a touch of sweet spice and vanilla, and that lovely mocha finish. Tannins are ripe and soft. Finish is gently medium. I don’t mean to be backhanded by saying it’s the best critter wine I’ve tasted. Nevermind. It’s bloody good. Period.

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This week's selection by kwäf Taste Bud Dick Snyder