The Heartswork Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 is a certified USDA Organic with no detectable sulfites, available at ALDI and some other wine shops for $6.99. This Cabernet is sourced from certified organic vineyards located in more than 1 California grape growing AVA (in California, if 75% of the grapes were farmed in one AVA, then that AVA can be shown on the label, such as Sonoma or Napa, if no % of grapes from any one AVA reaches 75%, then the label must show California as the origin). The parent company of Heartswork also produce Well Red and Our Daily Red, both organic, no sulfite wines, from a winery that has been certified organic since 1989. The Heartswork Cabernet seems to be made by them, though this wine does not show up on their website. The alcohol content is a relatively mild (for a Cabernet Sauvignon) 12.5%.
The color is a bright, shiny blood plasma red. The nose is dark berries, with spice, a little smoke and coco powder. This is a tart, but fruit-forward and dry Cabernet Sauvignon. It starts with ripe blackberry and tart cherry, with licorice and a little milk chocolate. The mid-palate shows cranberry and creamy vanilla. The tannins stay out-of-the-way and acidity is mild. The finish starts off strong, but fades quickly.
The Heartswork Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 is a remarkably priced organic, no sulfite wine. It is not one of those California Cabernet’s that are perfectly suited to be paired with a great aged New York strip steak. It does not have the tannin structure or the acidity to an excellent food wine, it’s more of a Tuesday night meatloaf or pasta with red sauce wine. If organic or no sulfites don’t mean much to you, then you might want to look elsewhere for an everyday Cabernet (there are better tasting Cabs in this price range). But if sulfites are an issue and certified organic and a low price is a selling point, then the Heartswork 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is definitely a wine to seek out.
