Beaulieu Vineyard Coastal Estates Cabernet Sauvignon, 2017 (California)

“Smooth Like Jagger”

Price at Purchase: $7.99

Location: Safeway

What can I say—I’m a sucker for wines that have a pretty label. And this one’s pastel blue design with the cute little boat wheel totally drew me in.

This bottle is a bit of a conundrum, though—it smells super fruity, but it has some coffee elements that make it not too sweet. At first, it seems like it would have some depth to it, but it’s surprisingly light! I assumed it would have some dynamic qualities to it, but it was very too-the-point.

But man, was it smoooooth. There’s a great combination of cherry, blackberry, and plum peel (correct, not the actual plum) that complemented that coffee element to create a really fantastic flavor that doesn’t knock you on your face. It’s perfectly average, and at this price point, it gets a thumbs up from me. Would you like it if you’re a die-hard Cab Sav fan looking to pair it with dinner? Absolutely not. But if you’re usually into pinots and decided to branch out a bit, this cab is for you.

One thing to note, you could literally see the sediment in the initial pour. So while it’s great tasting, you may not want to look at this one too closely. Like someone who got Botox, but clearly from a Groupon. The stuff of nightmares.