The pendulum swings back and forth in the world of wine. Ten to fifteen years ago, people started ordering wine as ABC wine. For those not in the know, this was a basic way of saying that you were a member of “the in crowd.”
As such, you couldn’t be bothered with two of the most popular wines in American culture. ABC stood for “Anything but Cabernet” or “Anything but Chardonnay,” and in one quick statement, a wine snob could say they were oh so current and oh so ironic.
Now the pendulum is back and folks who really love wine know that to say you don’t like Cabernet is to brush off great wine like some of the best French wines from Bordeaux. The same is true regarding Chardonnay, the primary grape of white Burgundy.
Murphy-Goode’s Cabernet Sauvignon ($12) is the creation of Dave Ready Jr., winemaker and son of one of the founders. It harkens back to the pre-ABC days in that it has big, juicy flavors, but there’s also enough tannins to give the wine some grip. Ready was an aspiring drummer in a rock & roll band, which makes sense with the powerful flavors of his wine. But he has also taken the time to travel the world, working in Australian wineries to learn their secrets and bring them back to California.
This wine has a plummy fruitiness backed up with a hint of black pepper that allows it to be used as a party pass-around or a perfect complement to a meal. Think of it next time you need a delicious accompaniment to a grilled meat. We love it next to a good juicy hamburger with plenty of sweet white onions and a thick slice of tomato. It also pairs well with a properly packed, homemade steak burrito.
One nice side benefit is that Murphy-Goode is part of the Jackson Family portfolio (as in Kendall-Jackson) so it is readily available all over town. No planning needed, just stop by your favorite wine shop and they will probably have it.
This article appears in November 8 • 2024.
