The 2017 Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon is not what I would expect when opening a bottle of Cabernet. At first glance, it has a satisfyingly deep red color with a cheerfully bright cherry red showing up around the edge. As I looked at this wine before tasting it, I thought that it was somewhat on the richer end of the spectrum for a Cabernet, and as I took a whiff of it this thought was confirmed. The aroma is rich and fruity, with a full body, which lingers on the line of Merlot without quite crossing over.

The first sip of this wine was certainly a pleasant surprise. An interesting dry Cabernet, this Bonterra leaves a more intense feeling on the tongue than I would have expected. As I was drinking it, I realized that this is one of those wines that would fall into the category of being able to be perfectly paired with a meal. The texture and taste of this wine would be exquisitely complemented by any meal that is of equally rich quality.

When I first began this tasting, I noticed the fruity aroma of the wine, but at the beginning this aspect of the wine was rather overshadowed by the depth of every other characteristic. After taking a few sips and growing accustomed to the feel of the wine, I could taste the bright, fruity flavor alongside the dry texture, and after finding this interesting blend of flavors, the taste and aroma began to influence each other in the most exceptional way. The fact that the flavor had so many unique twists and turns made the versatility of the aroma even more intense.

When it comes down to it, this is absolutely one of the most interesting wines I have ever tasted. With every step forward in the tasting process I was constantly revising what I thought a Cabernet could be. With everything about this wine being so exceptionally unique, it’s almost shocking to say that there is even more to love about it, but there is. My final note of praise is that this wine is made from organic grapes and is, as stated on the bottle, certified by the California Certified Organic Farmers, or the CCOF for short. I applaud and appreciate any business that is working to make the world a more natural and sustainable place, so with that detail and so many others in mind, this wine absolutely gets my stamp of approval and delight.