Zenaida Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

My score does not reflect my enjoyment level of the wine, which would be about 80. This is a style of California cabernet that I do not like - it is oaky vanilla, sweet tannins and sweet black cherry fruit. It seems much in the style of the wildly controversial Caymus anniversary cabernet from a few years ago. If you liked that wine you will probably like this, and vice versa. Style aside, I think the wine is reasonably well …

Aroma: black berries and rich spice notes. Some chocolate. Palate: initially fruity with black berries opening to graphite and tobacco. Decent complexity. Low to moderate tannin and good acidity. Good.

Aroma: somewhat nondescript nose of berry fruit with some leather and spice. Palate: rich yet bright red berry, plum and pomegranate fruit with notes of vanilla. Nice acidity and tannin. Balanced and decently structured. Good to very good.

Thin and unmemorable. Maybe an off bottle because I liked it at the tasting room.

Paso Robles Wine Trip; 9/12/2017-9/14/2017 : Aromas of bright red and black currants and cherries, bell pepper and eucalyptus. Solid tannins on the palate with bright acidity. Plummy, tart currants, mixed with bell pepper (not too much), with clove, tobacco pipe and eucalyptus. I would love to taste this again in three to five years.

Paso Robles Wine Trip; 9/12/2017-9/14/2017 : A richer aromatic display with baked figs and cinnamon. Rich and bold, darker than the plain Cab and their other wines, showing more black fruit but still balanced with vibrant acidity and moderate tannins. Oaky, but it has a lot of other things going on for it, so the oak doesn’t dominate. A blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Syrah, 25% Zinfandel.