(Two glasses for the wine, one glass for the brisket)
Ah, Livermore Valley — the Napa of people who don’t want to spend Napa money. I snagged this 2021 Post House Road Cabernet Sauvignon for a cool $6.99, and let me tell you, that price was the first thing I loved about it. Usually $18? Not today, Satan. A low-priced Cab that doesn’t taste like regret? Count me in.
Now, the wine itself? Solid. Balanced, with just a little sweetness on the finish — like it’s trying to be polite but still has a rebellious streak. Not super oaky, which I appreciate. It’s like the wine knew I wasn’t in the mood for any of that “licking an oak tree” nonsense. Smooth, easy, and dangerously drinkable. The kind of wine that makes you nod knowingly, even though you’re not entirely sure what you’re nodding about.
But let’s talk about Day 2. Oh baby. Left it unfinished, came back, and it was like the wine did some soul-searching overnight. Smelled better, tasted better — I think we both grew as people. And speaking of brilliance, I paired it with a smoked brisket because I’m a culinary visionary. (Translation: I like meat. A lot.) The rich, smoky goodness of the brisket with the Cab’s smooth, slightly sweet finish. And this Cab? It hugged that brisket like a long-lost friend. The slight sweetness balanced out the smoky, fatty goodness. Honestly, a spiritual experience.
It’s funny how a little air can change a wine. Makes me wonder if I should air myself out overnight and see if I’m more pleasant the next day. Probably not.
Would I buy it again? Absolutely. It’s a Cabernet that doesn’t pretend it’s better than you. No oak snobbery, no “hints of pencil shavings” nonsense — just a good, reliable red that gets even better when you forget to finish the bottle the first night. This wine’s going straight to the “Semi Respectable but Affordable” section of my wine rack, right next to the bottle of “I Think I Deserve This” Malbec. Cheers to good deals and even better brisket!
Types of Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon and ???
% ABV / Fun Juice Level: 13.9 %
Origin: Livermore, CA
Grocery Outlet Price: $6.99
