Sottano Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Bodega
Range
Wine
Vintage
Origin
Price
Appearance
Deep, dark ruby red.
Nose
Shy fruit, dominated by liquorice, caramel, with hints of vanilla, green pepper and blackberry leaf.
Palate
Medium bodied. Blackberries and blackcurrants as preserves, with pencil shavings, liquorice-like spiciness and a little zingy tobacco. Slightly woody on the aftertaste.
Overall
A good solid Cabernet Sauvignon from a producer virtually right across the road from Ruca Malen. The fruit was harvested later than for the bodega's standard Cabernet offering, and it shows. If it was AR$45 it would be a reasonable buy, but there's tough competition in its actual price bracket: Ruca Malen's Kinien, some of the Catena wines, Carmelo Patti - not to mention the excellent blends from Carlos Pulenta, O.Fournier and others - any of which represent considerably better value.
***+
(December 06)