The 2011 Bridlewood Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles is a good example of a Cab that’s perfect for this time of year. It’s big, jammy and has a heavy hand of pepper to it. It’s certainly a style that oenophiles don’t typically ruminate on, but if you’re looking for a solid if not a bit creamy cab then go for it- don’t confuse this with Yellow Tail. You might not dwell on its positives but you surely won’t be too hung up on the negatives.

The nose on the 2013 makes a big jammy statement. However once you get into the bottle, and presumably your meal, the fruit succeeds in complementing your bigger courses. This complementary attribute extends to the flavor. It is sweet but any fruit focused meat or poultry with dressing should welcome that flavor. The downside is that there is scant barrel notes, or teroir to speak of neither on the nose nor the palatte. It is a simple confluence of fruit and fermentation.  *Thanks to Bridlewood for the sample bottle.