When you are looking for a full bodied Cabernet that is not short on flavor and you’re not sure what to do because you don’t want to over spend, look for this bottle of wine. Bogle 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon is a really good choice around $12. It may not be an expensive bottle but when folks taste it they won’t think you’re a cheapo, instead they should realize a smart deal and learn.
While sipping this wine, the Dude of Food felt like he had obtained a bargain. This bottle radiates heritage. From the moment you handle the bottle time slows down a little and you begin to feel the serenity of this creation. This is no fast lane wine. This wine exudes the tranquility, longevity and educated qualities of a chateau in the countryside owned by a university scholar/author. The flavors do not jump out of the glass as a sophisticated lady would not sit with her legs open. The characteristics of this wine, like the sophisticated lady, are more subdued. They have a sense of time and are not in a hurry to get to the end. The delicate balance of depth in fruitiness, richness of earth tones and uniqueness of flavor are well balanced and make this an enjoyable bottle of wine at a reasonable price if you can find one.
This 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley is not my favorite.
The label says Limited Production and I wonder if it is because they gave up trying to make a good wine. While the bottle is nice looking, the label sophisticated and the expectations somewhat elevated, this wine lacked thoroughness in both the richness and flavor departments.
AQUINAS 2011 California Cabernet Sauvignon
Named after St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), an Italian Dominican friar, priest and revolutionary scholar who used the laws of science to support his belief in the Almighty. This wine, like it’s namesake, is smart, bold, dedicated and has many quality attributes.
The Dude of Food rating:
Give this wine a try.
Murphy-Goode Winery Santa Rosa, CA 
MURPHYGOODE.COM
This wine posses a heavy thick leg but lands on the taste buds
gracefully, reminding the senses of a bouquet of sweet berry flavors.
The flavor doesn’t linger long on the red carpet, before it melts away,
providing opportunity for another pleasurable taste.
For under $13. this is a pretty good wine, not so much over $15. as
you have entered a region of price where premiere tastes become more
pronounced.
Murphy-Goode cab is not a bad wine, but if you like a heavier full
flavored red wine, then the Bodega ELENA de Mendoza offers a bit more
bang for a little less bucks.
