The Calina Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 
is sourced from vineyards in the Valle Central in Chile. The Valle Central grape growing region is composed of 4 valleys that are situated between the Andes Mountains and the Chilean Coastal Mountain Range, the grapes were grown in the Maipo Valley, the Rapel Valley, the Curico Valley, but mostly from the Maule Valley. The grapes were grown in the Valle Central and the wine was produced in the Calina Winery in the Maule Valley, but was bottled in Santa Rosa, California. That is were Kendall-Jackson winery is located (KJ owns Calina), I guess it is more economical to ship wine in bulk liquid form than to ship bottled wine. The grapes were harvested by hand and the wine was aged in French and American oak barrels. This bottle has a list price of $10, but is often discounted (I found it for $8.99). The alcohol content is 13.5%.
The nose is black cherry red. The nose is blackberry, cold coffee, dark chocolate and butterscotch. This is a ten buck Cabernet Sauvignon that has some weight behind it. It tastes of dark berries (not sweet and just a tad on the sour side), a little Dr. Pepper, Snickers bar chocolate and tart raspberry. The mid palate adds a slightly rough brush across your tastebuds from the tannins (it provides a nice texture you don’t always see in value priced wine) and oak spice follows by a wisp of orange zest. The acidity is well balanced and the finish is subtle but lengthy.
It used to be that you really didn’t want to go below twenty bucks a bottle when in came to finding a decent bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon, but lately a number of $10 bottles have been getting the job done. The Calina Valle Central Cab does everything you want a drink it now Cabernet Sauvignon to do. Its got depth, rich flavor, a full mouthfeel and balance, it will do right by a well grilled steak or get the conversation flowing when sharing with good friends.
