Cabernet lovers in search of a great value wine need look no further than the 2003 Artesa cab.  I bought a bottle for $13.99 at the wine exchange, and have seen it similarly priced at other retailers.  Costco may carry this one also.  Artesa is an interesting story.  The winery hit the scene in approximately 1997, and shortly thereafter, the 1999 Artesa cab was awarded 92 points and a lot of accolade from Wine Spectator magazine.  Retail price for the wine was about 25-30 dollars at that time.  Demand surged, and before you knew it, the wine was hard to find, and the price went up to about 40 dollars in subsequent vintages.  Well you know what they say:  If you live by the critics' scores, you'll die by the critics' scores.  The next few vintages scored in the high 80's, very respectable indeed, but not high enough to justify a 40 dollar price tag.  Now fast forward to 2006:  Production is up to 10,000 cases of the Napa-Sonoma blend, and the retail price is somwhere in the 25 dollar range, but the price at the discount wine shops is under 15 bucks.  The wine is easy to find.  Yesterday's star is today's "has been".  What makes the story interesting is that the 2003 Artesa is really really good.  It has not yet been rated by Wine Spectator, and Robert Parker has never rated this winery's cabernets, so you will have to trust your own palate (or mine) since you don't have any professional reviews to hang your hat on.  If the wine scores highly, at this price it will fly off the shelf.

I thoroughly enjoyed this 13 dollar bottle of wine.  It is a cabernet sauvignon made up of 79% Napa grapes, and 21% Sonoma grapes.  With a little coaxing, the wine will release a wonderful bouquet of anise/licorice and black currant.  There is plenty of ultra-ripe fruit on the palate, and the wine finishes with a soft touch.  Low acidity, soft tannin, and plenty of fruit make this wine taste like a Bordeaux from a good year.

Just a smidgen short of 4 stars.  Excellent wine.  I think this wine will be back on the critics watch list fairly soon.  Buy up now.  The best quality-price ratio I have seen on a cabernet all year.

 

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