The nose has everything you could want, and not a lick of funkiness (there's more than enough of that in the "Theme from Shaft"). There's spice, chocolate, vanilla, sweet currant and plenty of oak.

On the palate, the flavors are very true to the nose, with the addition of a little berry fruit. The tannins are definitely there, as is a bit of acidity, making a huge wine surprisingly food-friendly (acidity is good for that).

In support of affordable cabernet, and in honor my cat, go buy this wine. After all, for $20, I say this cat's a bad mother.

Cheers,
TSW

NOTE: You may have noticed that last week's wine recommendation also featured a 2001 Alexander Valley cabernet sauvignon. Not only is '01 a great vintage for cab, but Alexander Valley is producing some amazing cabernet, often with very reasonable prices. However, I do expect that to change as more people catch on to these wines. Buy now before prices go up.

And speaking of the '01 vintage, if money's no object, you've gotta try the Caymus Special Selection from Napa and Ramey's Jericho Canyon cabernet, also from Napa. Both are just terrifying, and show just how good 2001 cabs can be!

I have a 20 lb. cat. I don't mean that I have a cat of relatively normal size that canceled his kitty gym membership and let himself go. He's a solid 20 lbs., big and black. He fights crime and, for all these reasons, he is named Shaft. The fact that he's a sex machine to all the chicks only proves he is aptly named.

This amazing wine reminds me of Shaft. Though I'm not sure it does much crime fighting, in all other ways it's the official beverage of my cat. It's dark, immense and powerful, while at the same time cuddly and immediately approachable.

Neither is, however, elegant or graceful. This cabernet is balanced like Shaft walking along a fence (think "teetering… just barely making it) and doesn't make up for it with refinement.

In my opinion, that's part of their charm (the cab and the cat). There's a healthy dose of merlot blended in (the wine, not Shaft… as far as I know) but it doesn't make this a lighter, gentler red.

The color is deep garnet -- not black, but not far off -- and shows legs worthy of their own ZZ Top song.