BBQ, Cabernet & Loose Change

July is here and there's nothing more American for the Fourth of July than hard working Americans finding something of value, say, like the Louisiana Purchase. Deals like that are hard to find, however “value” doesn't equate to cheap, it means the price is commensurate with the quality of what you purchased. As a wine writer, I've had my share of wines in the $200-$300 range that are not worth it. Less rare is a wine that is inexpensive but has amazing quality. But it does happen, and happens here with the Concannon 2013 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon. Concannon has been around since 1883, and they have helped establish multiple clones that are widely used in California. This wonderful wine is earthy black cherry, rustic red raspberry, plum, judicious use of oak, which frames the fruit but does not overwhelm it and a surprising acidity, perfect with anything on the grill. What is worth celebrating is that the Concannon family has turned out such a superior wine at this price. Honestly - and I don’t say this often - it’s worth way more. So get your grill on this holiday (I grilled up Santa Maria Tri Tip with this beautiful wine) and make sure you try this Cab while celebrating. www.concannonvineyard.com

ORIGIN: Paso Robles, California

PRICE: $20/ 750ML

ALCOHOL: 13.9%

BOOZEHOUNDZ SCORE:  90 POINTS

Plunging Into Cabernet

Cabernet Sauvignon is either really expensive, or really cheap – the middle ground seems to be a shadowy world of occasional Cabs no one has heard of and no one can seem to find. The really expensive ones are $200-$300 in many cases, and I've had many of those, and they're good but not always great. Let’s face it – buying wine should not be like playing roulette – we want some assurance that our money won’t go down the drain. The cheap ones are just that; cheap, fruity, Jolly Rancher sweet, tedious, dull…well you get the point. So I'm very pleased to discover the Plungerhead 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon from Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma for, ahem $16. There is delightful oak, soft supple raspberry and red cherry fruit on this wine, a touch of vanilla and a simple acidity making for a very pleasant wine to drink. No, this is not some stunning phenomenal 100-point wine from Heitz, Caymus, or Silver Oak. It is exactly what it is intended to be - a terrific wine at a terrific price point, a wine made for most of us, one that will make you say, “Yeah, I’d buy this again.” So, for everyday drinking take the plunge and try this wine. THE OTHER GUYS

ORIGIN: Dry Creek Valley, California

PRICE: $16 - 750/ml

ALCOHOL: 14.5%

BOOZEHOUNDZ SCORE:  89 POINTS