You have to appreciate this line from a recent Food & Wine article: 

“Great Cabernet Sauvignon can set you back by

several mortgage payments if you’re not careful.”  

We couldn’t agree more. 

Cabernet has become the prototypical “splurge” wine. 

It’s easy to drop $100 or more on a special-occasion bottle. 

But it’s been my experience that expensive Cabs

often fail to deliver on the promise.

While we believe it’s important to drink quality wine,

it’s more important to meet your mortgage obligations.

That’s why we don’t recommend too many Cabernets.  

But this week, that’s just what we’re doing.

It’s Wine Thursday!

Just in time for your weekend, we shine a light

on a good wine that sells at a reasonable price

and is easy to find at retail and online. 

 When it comes to Cabernet from California,

it’s tough to find a bottle in the $20 neighborhood

that’s worth recommending.   

This week’s pick is the exception to the rule. 

Where it’s from   

In Geyserville, one of the many laid-back towns in the Sonoma County wine region,

you’ll find the “laid-back” Banshee wine operations. 

That’s how the Banshee folks describe themselves. 

I think a more apt description of Banshee would be providers of great

“bang for the buck” reds and whites.  Their Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir

offerings are consistently “affordable for everyone and not just the uber-weathy”.  

What it is 

“Approachable” is an accurate descriptor for  Banshee’s entry-level Cabernet. 

It’s pleasant and agreeable to the wine-drinking novice. 

But with rich & ripe black cherry flavors, there’s enough going on

here to keep experienced wine buffs interested too.   

Hints of licorice, spice and pepper round out the flavor spectrum.   

No sharp edges happening here.  It’s well-balanced

with appropriate levels of tannin and acidity. 

This is one of the best bargains you’ll find in California Cabernet. 

 Where to find it  

Total Wine has the Banshee Cab for $16.99. 

The price at QFC is $17.99.   At Vons, it’s $18.88.

Albertsons and Safeway have it for $21.49. 

At BevMo and Fred Meyer, it’s $21.99. 

You can order it from Marketview Liquor for $17.99  

https://www.marketviewliquor.com 

Shoppers Vineyard sells it for $16.99  

https://www.shoppersvineyard.com   

BuyWinesOnline has it for $18.95  

https://buywinesonline.com 

and the price at B-21 is $18.99  

https://www.b-21.com