WIA Awards Value Cabernet of the Year! It’s that time of year where we bust out the best, most popular, most re-requested wines of the year. Today we have the best value Cabernet of the year - the wax top Chronicle Cabernet.

Epater la bourgeoisie - a rallying cry used by French Decadent poets in the late 19th century: “to shock or scandalize the middle classes.”

OH yes indeed this one will shock you for the price. Might even shock some of your slurpy somm friends, or anyone who declares they only drink vineyard-designate Cab from Oakville.

Assuming you like 93 point big ole - rock ‘n roller, coat your molar - type of Cabs.

You’ll understand when you taste it. Granted, it’s no Hundred Acre with the golden capsule, or anything of that sort but it has some of the trademarks of those high enders - fruit sourced from a single vineyard just east of Napa, a fancy wax top for example.

And for $19 it simply crushes just about everything else in that range and holds its own against many priced 2-3 time more, maybe even more-more.

JUICY. Up front it’s all chock full of mashed blackberries, melted black licorice, blueberries, pepper, and a little fresh-turned earth. A healthy dose of oak, too. Yes, it’s BOLD, full-bodied, seamless, soft and dangerously easy to drain a bottle. If you can handle it. When in doubt, grab a couple of lbs. of the smokiest BBQed whatever ya dig from your local favorite joint for a night in and wash it down with this, thank us later.

The best part? ZERO guilt at this price… Load up while it’s around because it - WILL. NOT. LAST.

93 Points – The Tasting Panel

“Coming from a single vineyard just east of Napa Valley this Cabernet (95%) utilizes some Petit Verdot (5%). Ripe yet structured, and choked full of sweet black cherries, black raspberries, and black plums. Shows lots of warm cassis, well integrated lightly toasted oak, touch of vanilla, and fine tea spices round it out. Boasts fine grippy tannins with a long savory mouthwatering finish. Approachable now but enough balance and acidity to age gracefully in the cellar for 8-12+ years.”