2010 Joel Gott 815 Cabernet Sauvignon | < $20

[twitter]Joel Gott is one of the Three Thieves. Described as “the quintessential winery brat,” Gott is a fifth generation west coast winemaker and restaurateur. Along with his brother, he is responsible for Taylor’s Refresher, a St. Helena burger joint, revamping it as a destination eatery now operating in three locations.

Joel took his first stab at winemaking in 1996, introducing a $15 Zinfandel from Amador County that – due in part to amazing reviews – put Joel Gott Wines on the map.

The official tasting notes describe the wine as having “aromas of plum, raspberry, and cherry cola with hints of anise, cocoa, leather, and dried herbs.”

We served up his 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon with a strip steak and a caesar salad. 13.9% alcohol is a little low for a cab, but it made it so smooth. Almost too smooth for a cab. With a nose of cassis, the vanilla, chocolate and a touch of tobacco made it a very easy drinking glass of velvet.

That is a sassy and classy “go-to” wine.

You can find it by the glass on menus at Ruth’s Chris, Libertine, or the Earl Grey Golf Club.

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