This budget bottling from Paso Robles-based Maddalena is a bruiser of a wine, a monster that is overwhelming with notes of smashed, overripe currants and blackberry jam, sweetened to within an inch of its life with notes of brown sugar and milk chocolate. Utterly overwhelming at times, Maddalena’s cabernet comes across almost like a dessert wine at times — which is fine, if you’re drinking it with cake. Everyone else may need to temper their expectations.

C / $15 / maddalenawines.com

2017 Maddalena Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles

$15

5

Rating

5.0/10