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Charles Shaw Winery
2001 Cabernet Sauvignon

Appellation: California

Review Date : 2002-12-05

Reviewer's Rating = 88

Tasting Notes

How can this be? Every time I serve this wine, friends ask;"What is this? This is very good!" On at least 10 occasions and growing, my guests; experienced wine tasters, wine club members and neophites alike, all report positive on Charles Shaw Cabs. We have served not only vintage 2000 and 2001 cabs, but 2000 and 2001 Merlot with the same response from all who try it. When critiqued for the infinite number of nuances, one at a time, these wines may lack slightly in some areas. But none of these wines are significantly lacking in any area; and the whole (finished product) is definitely greater than the sum of its parts. All of these vintages will do well with some time in the bottle, especially the Cabs. These remarks and observations are made without consideration of the $1.99 Trader Joe's price!!! When you consider a pleasurable wine drinking experience, a decent quality all-around product, a wine with great potential of becomming a full and complete representation of its' type given a little more time in the bottle (1 or 2 years)and a staggering bargain price...you may concur with (our)my opinion.

Wine Type:

Cabernet / Bordeaux

Varietals:

Price (time of purchase):

$1.99

Price/performance:

A

Alcohol:

12.5%

Availability:

Available now at Trader Joe's

Web Link:

Average Visitors' Rating:

86.5 (8 visitors rated this wine. See comments below)

Reviewed by:

slimchance_(guest)

Reviewer's Rating:

88

User Comments follow

2002--1-2-: WB-Webmaster
Has anyone else seen this vintage (2001)? Our local TJ's are selling the 1999, and I would like to confirm that the 2001 is actually available.
2002--1-2-: blakeweb rates this wine 90
The 2001 is available. I have the merlot and it is a very good wine, regardless of the price paid.
2003--0-1-: zics rates this wine 90
The price of this wine certainly does not do justice to the taste. Don't ask me why it's selling at that price but I bought a few cases. Go out and get yours.
2003--0-1-: brileyblends rates this wine 85
I have a wide assortment of wines and prices. All the Charles Shaw wines are great. We are buying cases at a time, giving them to friends. Before trader joes bought them, I wonder what the cost of a bottle was at a store? And why so cheap at tj? Kinda sad to know that there is such a mark up on wines if they can get as low as $1.99! Cheers!
2003--0-1-: josekw rates this wine 82
Enough said about the flavors... we drink some "Two Buck Chuck" as ordinary table wine worth more that its price. The truth of its orgin is that it is made by Bronco Wine Co. of Ceres, CA, one of three brands also licensed as a distributor, of Central California grapes(not what one necessarily looks for whilst traveling the "Appelations Trail" ;-). There are many more cases (I overheard some Trader Joe's employees saying), and that may mean one batch may vary from another- because at this price, I doubt custom blending is part of the package. And there will be more next year, I hear... (And the Transportation Safety Admin. says corkscrews ARE OK even in your hand luggage these days, so forget the AA story... My recommendation: taste one, if you like it buy more cases of THAT SPECIFIC BATCH, or be prepared to taste and buy all over again. The Sacramento Bee has an article at http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/california/story/5730663p-6703273c.html (You may have to cut and paste this lengthy URL into your browser.) ¡Salud! José K.
2003--1-0-: Neville Piper rates this wine 87
what a great wine,I will rocomend it to all my wine drinking friends. Can yo help us locate it in the UK. email npiper@piperwindows.co.uk
2003--1-2-: spgsaab rates this wine 74
This wine is not a good value as it is almost undrinkable. It has a burnt sweetness that is out of place in a cabernet. It also has a vegetal aftertaste. The tannins are absent, and the fruit is cranberry - like. This might be acceptable for relish at Thanksgiving, but not for a wine. I am not certain it would suffice as a cooking wine, but it might if allowed to age in an opened bottle for a week or two.
2003--1-2-: conculcate rates this wine 84
Not terribly complex, but as a cheap table wine it's certainly a bargain. I've had $10 wines that had worse mouthfeel and finish. Fairly high tannin, with a year or two of aging it should reach its peak.
2004--1-2-: MrCheapo rates this wine 100
What can I say, the price alone justifies the high rating, it is undrinkable upon opening, but if you let it sit for a few days, it's as good as any other $15 wine that's been opened a few days.
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