There are nights when you want a bold, full-bodied wine to go with a special dinner, and nights when you want an everyday wine to go with burgers or pizza. Burger night doesn’t mean you want a bad wine, just a decent but affordable one that you can pick up at Kroger. This week’s selection is that wine.
I have had the Noble Vines 337 Cabernet a few times, but I usually wait to review an inexpensive wine like this because it could be a fluke: you could love one vintage, but not another, and it’s possible with mass-produced wines to get one good bottle that is not consistent with others. Year after year, I have found this to be a pretty solid wine. It’s mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (77%) blended with Malbec and Petite Sirah from Lodi. An interesting fact about this wine is where the vines originated: transplanted from Bordeaux, France, to which the “337” in the name refers. For centuries winemakers have tried to duplicate the taste or feel of a wine from another part of the world by “cloning” vinestock from a favorite vineyard, and grafting it on to the roots of their native vines, with varying levels of success. I can tell you that this does not taste anything like a Bordeaux! But it’s still a fine choice, and a great buy.
Noble Vines 337 boasts smooth plum, blackberry, and blueberry flavors, great spice and toasty oak throughout, with a dry and lingering mocha finish. You can find this wine everywhere for around $10 a bottle, and it’s been named a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy.
On my five-cork scale based on taste and value, the 2016 Noble Vines 337 Cabernet Sauvignon gets 3.6 corks. It’s a reliable, affordable red wine that tastes more expensive than it is.
If you’d like to try interesting wines like this, please join me at our next private wine party at Matt the Miller’s Tavern! I host a wine dinner there every month, and we feature several interesting wines, each paired with a delicious course. There are always cool prizes to win, too, so listen Wednesday at 4:15 to win your spot on the guest list, or click here for a chance to win!
