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Paul Dolan Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Mendocino County 2012

Recently at Costco, I found Paul Dolan Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendocino County,  for $15.99.  While I am quite sure that there are great Cabernet Sauvignons from Mendocino County, I cannot say that I have found many of them.  Instead, I have found some that were not as good as what I have been drinking from Napa, Sonoma and Columbia Valley.  However, there were a couple of 91 point ratings shown, so I took a chance and added it to my haul.

The central portion of Mendocino County is very hot and dry during the grape growing season, which is well suited for intensely flavored and tannic red wine.  The County is a leader in growing organic grapes.

Paul Dolan Cabernet Sauvignon was aged 24 months in 15% new French oak and 85% in redwood and stainless steel tanks. ( If anyone can enlighten me about redwood aging, please leave a comment.)
All of the grapes are organic from gravelly hilltops in central Mendocino County and the wine is 13.5% alcohol.

This is a dark colored, full bodied wine with big bold flavors of plum and dark berries.  The tannins do not overpower the flavor and the finish is long lasting.  This would pair very well with prime rib or a dry aged steak.  I like the wine and think the ratings mentioned above got it correct.

SC Wine Joe rating = 91 points


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