Charles Shaw 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon

moira

This is the ideal end of the evening plonk. Oh, you know of what I speak: at 7pm, everyone's diction is perfect, the eyes are clear and the wine is superb. Perhaps you've opened with a nice bottle in the $40 range, something subtle, something that obligates you say things like 'what a lovely tobacco finish!' to which your comrades might respond, 'Wait until it opens up...' Expensive cheeses will be consumed, followed by everyone sitting down in their appointed places. Another bottle or two will be opened. Perhaps a syrah someone was saving for just this occasion? A special cab franc whose white pepper nose will not overwhelm the main course? And so on. Embarrassing stories involving sexual predilictions and/or college hairstyles will emerge, and eventually you will find yourself hovering in the despoiled kitchen. Everyone is warm, loose, friendly. In some cases, too friendly. Another bottle. "Oh this? We got it when we were in Argentina last January. Isn't that nice?" You nod, but your tongue has been rendered useless for little more than making out with your friend's girlfriend in the john. You saw her smoke a clove but didn't taste a thing. Ditto this malbec. It sure is pretty, swimming in your grubby glass. Another bottle. Allegedly a zin. Allegedly a fruit bomb. All you can attest to is its 17.1% alcohol content. You decide - hipness be damned - that a glass of water would be nice. And then the bathroom. You grab your friend's girlfriend's ass. In front of everyone. This is rationalized by the knowledge that a) it is an awesome ass, and b) this is a future dinner party story in the making! You feel awesome! Everyone wants to be you! (You notice, unfortunately, that your teeth feel soft, rendering your speech slurry. Note to self: speak louder.) Suddenly everyone's in the living room, sprawled out on couches, the floor, etc. Another bottle? And THIS - THIS, is where Two Buck Chuck makes its value known: this is where it shines. For while you're throwing up in the Japanese lemon tree on the balcony, or passing out in your friend's girlfriend's crotch ('I was just resting my eyes!'), Two Buck Chuck does not mind. He does not judge. And, most importantly, the next morning when you come downstairs and find the bottle only half drunk, you will not think, 'What a waste of good wine,' but only 'Thank goodness we had the good sense not to open up the good stuff at four in the morning.' A job well done.

Tasting Tags: alcoholic bargain cheap

Charles Shaw 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon

graves

Tasting Tags: joes trader

Charles Shaw 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon

thedog

Who are the morons giving this stuff one star? I've had 20 dollar cabs that were a lot worse. Nice bold flavor and really goes well with meat - just like a cab should. The 2003 is shockingly good wine for the money. Sure hope the 2004 is as good.

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Charles Shaw 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon

stockmanster

This is a suberb wine for the money $2-$3.

Tasting Tags: inexpensive

Charles Shaw 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon

wineass

AKA “two-buck Chuck.” So what do you get when you splurge and spend twice the price of a 99-cent-store wine? That’s the big question. “It’s got a weird something-going-on in there, an odd metallicky hiccup,” sez the Grapedonk.

This wine tastes more like a blend of Cab, Shiraz, and Zin than just a Cabernet—it’s a confusion of berry flavors, with a hint of balsamic vinegar, and leftovers of rust and stainless steel. It’s drinkable, but just barely.

Episode 52

Tasting Tags: balsamic berry metallic rust stainless

Charles Shaw 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon

madidaddy

Very tannin-less. Great for blind wine tasting to keep people honest.

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Charles Shaw 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon

jakef

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Charles Shaw 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon

bullringer

a shade better than the chardonnay, but no reason to purchase when there's rather drinkable Australian and South American reds out there. For instance Frontera by concha y toro. It seems the Shaw batches vary significantly after reading such a wide opinion of reviews. If you want to take a flyer on this one I suggest buying one bottle and if you like, note the lot number and then go back right away and make sure to buy several of the same lot number on the bottle.

Tasting Tags: cheap