Gallo Twin Valleys Cabernet Sauvignon

We had such a surprisingly pleasant experience with the Gallo Twin Valleys Hearty Burgundy, we went back to try the Gallo Twin Valleys Cabernet Sauvignon. Notwithstanding its unapologetic jug wine heritage, this is definitely a California Cabernet Sauvignon; slightly dryer (just slightly) than Washington Cabernet Sauvignon, and much less fruit forward. The fruit tends more to the black currant than the cherry. It's almost completely lacking lacking in tannin. There's not much information about the wine on Gallo's Web site; they tell us that they used "premium yeasts," which is a little . . . odd, and that they used cold soaking after harvesting the grapes, which is marginally more useful. I do know that Gallo's Twin Valleys Cabernet Sauvignon is completely Californian in terms of sourcing, but I suspect, frankly, that there's some Merlot, or possibly Shiraz, in this Cabernet, based on the color, which is a bit more Shiraz like, and the taste, which is a little on the Merlot side. I'm quite possibly insane, of course, but either way, this is a decent budget wine. I'd suggest that this is a super pairing for fairly mild versions of tomato-based pastas, basic burgers, or steak.

This is a perfectly reasonable, and reliable, regular table wine. It's 13% ABV, and at $7.99 for a 1.5 liter bottle, you can afford to offer your guests pizza as well as wine. I note that Gallo's Twin Valleys Cabernet Sauvignon is also faring well with other reviewers and vendors. The Barrel Room describes it as "Great value and a good all-purpose Cabernet."