The 2010 Alamos Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from half Estate vineyards and half purchased grapes grown in the Uco Valley growing region of the Central Valley, in Argentina. The Uco Valley is a high altitude (3,700′ to 5,000’) growing area, the temperatures are cool and at that height the grapes get intense exposure to the sun, the cool weather and the abundance of sunlight give the Uco Valley unique growing conditions. This Cabernet is aged in French and American oak barrels for 6 to 9 months and the alcohol content is 13.9%.
The color is crimson with black highlights. The nose is blackberry, a cedar plank, a whiff of smoke and a little chocolate brownie. Silky smooth on the palate, the initial flavors are cassis and with chocolate covered cherries. There is a transition to blueberry and vanilla on the mid-palate, with a late hit of Altoid spice. The tannins are soft and do not intrude and the finish is pretty much the same as the body of the wine. This is not a complex, layered wine, but it does taste good.
There was a time when I stayed away from low priced Cabernet Sauvignon’s, they just didn’t taste like more expensive Cab’s. But, it looks like Argentina has more to offer than quality value priced Malbec and Torrontes, the Alamos Cabernet Sauvignon is a very drinkable under $10 wine. Drink it with the usual burgers and pizza, or it makes a fine wine to drink while sitting around the fire pit on a cool autumn night.
