2010 Trim Cabernet

I’m a big fan of trying new wines all the time because A) I like variety, B) it’s fun to try new things and C) who doesn’t love an excuse to peruse a wine shop?  Recently I wanted to kill some time before meeting up with a friend, so I wandered into a nearby wine shop to check out the selection. In the ‘$15 and under’ section, this brightly labeled bottle immediately caught my eye, obviously, so I thought I’d give it a try. Yep, sometimes I get sucked into buying a bottle based on the label (don’t we all?) but I was mostly curious how this CA Cab would taste given it’s price point. Worth a shot, right?

TRIM was established in 2011 by Ray Signorello (of Signorello Estates in Napa) and some friends of his. The 2010 Trim Cabernet is made from grapes sourced from his vineyards as well as other high-end California vineyards in Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino. Because the grapes don’t come from one designated growing area, or AVA (American Viticulture Area), it is labeled ‘California’ which helps with its great value – only around $13 bucks!

This is a fruit-forward and easy drinking wine, there’s no doubt about it. It’s got aromas of plum, cherry, mocha, and black pepper, with secondary aromas of coffee grounds. With flavors of raspberry, cranberry and a hint of leather, it’s bright acidity and full mouth-feel make it a complex inexpensive Cabernet. I even think it could benefit from 2-3 years of aging!

This all-purpose wine passes the test for a good weeknight wine and/or a great bottle to bring to a casual dinner party. To help cut down on the slight sweetness of the fruit, I’d suggest pairing it with something grilled on the bbq – burger, steak, or even lamb. That reminds me… it’s dinner time!

**Wine Notes**

Producer: Trim

Region: California

Varietal: Cabernet

Vintage: 2010

Blend: 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 8% Syrah

Alcohol: 13.8%

Cases: 9,994 cases

Price Point: $12-15

Where to find:

The Dinner Party (CDA); Amazon Wine Shop; or ask your local wine shop to order it for you.