Style Heavy red New World Country USA (CA) Price $15
Vintage tasted 2007 Grapes Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Merlot
Website www.bonterra.com

Overview Bonterra’s grapes are “grown organically” but the wine is not “certified organic.” This gets at the heart of a controversy in the wine world: to get organic certification, producers must jump through certain costly bureaucratic hoops, with the ironic results that certified organic wine is more likely than most to be mass-produced. Environmentally sustainable practices are much more important, so we applaud this producer for the growing methods—and for making this delicious Cabernet.

Nose It’s distinctly New World in style, with flowers and black fruit that were either “yummy” or “overripe,” depending on your taste.

Mouth This fruity, spicy mouth is full but not overpowering, showing impressive balance. One blind taster said it tasted expensive.