Tasting #1: The Magistrate; Cabernet Sauvignon

For my first tasting blog, I am trying out a still wine named, "The Magistrate," a Paso Robles (meaning "pass of the oak trees") Cabernet Sauvignon wine. With a deep ruby color, strong aroma, and dry flavors, this grape was harvested in 2021. The cost was affordable at $9.99 (on sale from $19.99) from Kroger and I'd rate it about a 7/10. This wine has a classic rich flavor and high tannin content (page, 331). Although this is a tasting and not a paring, I prepared a dinner utilizing the leftover wine in the bottle. It paired nicely and cooked out to a sweet flavor in a Bolognese pasta. Mixed with carrot, onion, and celery, this wine brought out many distinct flavors. 

All the way from Paso Robles, California, this red wine carries flavor notes and hints of oak in its vanilla and espresso flavor, along with black and red fruit. It has a ruby color (page, 62)  and a blue tint (page, 63). While sipping and holding the flavors in my mouth, I noticed hints of plum, black cherry, and a hint of sourness you can feel in the sides of the mouth (page, 339). It provokes a dry swallow that doesn't go down very smooth, maybe even pinches the throat, and is acidic, however, the flavor that lingers is nice. 

Coming from "gerbes.com," Magistrate is from the United States, in the Central Coast of Paso Robles in California which is pictured below (of me holding the bottle). They have century old vineyards producing well balanced wine due to the cool morning fog and intense midday sun. Left under the reviews, many people write about the dark berry aroma and rich, bold flavors which I would agree with. It does taste very bold, acidic, and dry with dark fruit aroma and flavor. 

Front Label

Back Label