Next week's our big neighborhood tasting again, and I've already purchased five of the six Napa Cal Cabs to be poured, all in the $30-$80 price range. Last night I invited three couples over to let them choose #6, the $25 and under 'affordable' slot, from a field of eight in a blind tasting in four flights of two each along with a four-course dinner. Couldn't resist throwing in two from Costco and one from Trader Joe's just to see what would happen. All of the wines were splash-decanted four hours earlier and left in open bottles until service.
#1: 2008 Kirkland Signature Series Mountain Cuvee ($20): from Flight 4 and partnered with the 08 Clos du Val, this wine had an enchanting, hugely aromatic nose. Elegant and balanced on the palate in spite of the tell-tale pine note of what I believe is American oak. Also, the only wine to garner all eight first place votes. Needless to say, this goes in the tasting.
Because of the landslide above, we didn't take any further votes, but the next three were the best of the pack--for my tastes, anyway.
#2: 2007 Waterstone ($20): This and the Kirkland above were very very similar in flavor and structure: plum and black cherry with silky tannins. Surprisingly good for a $20 Napa cab. It tied 4 to 4 with it's sweeter flightmate, the Trader Joe wine.
#3: 2007 Starmont ($20): Bright acidity and a peppery finish made this a standout, especially compared to the oaky Conn Creek, with whom it tied 4/4.
#4: 2008 Clos du Val ($24): A bit closed on the nose and full of youthful vigor. With a rare steak this would have shined, but for now, and served with a cheese course instead, it's charms went largley unappreciated by the crowd who were also justifiably enamored with the Costco wine.
I was less a fan of the following:
#5: 2009 Trader Joe's Grand Reserve Napa ($13): the sweetest and most concentrated wine of the night--kirsch-y. The pairing of this with the dryer more elegant Waterstone really cut the room in half. If you liked this then you're one kind of wine drinker, and if you liked the other you're another kind. The couple who love 15%+ Amador zins both voted for it.
#6: 2007 Conn Creek ($24): My notes on this appear to say "Telegram Mossia 2x4". I can't make heads or tails out of that today
, except the obvious reference to the massive oak. Tons of vanilla, low acid especially compared to the Starmont, and a plush velvet texture. One could argue that it's actually velour, though. 
#7: 2009 Kirkland Napa ($13): Seems older with very relaxed, low tannins. On the simple side for very digestible. It got one vote: from me. The other seven votes went to:
#8: 2008 Mondavi Napa ($19): Yeah, this was my least favorite. Though the label says Napa, I have to wonder if that's honest. There was just nothing Napa-esque about this wine. No black fruit, for one. Instead it showed jammy ripe raspberry fruit with notes of coffee, strawberry jam and bug spray (highest alcohol too at 15%, the rest were all below 14.5), tasting more of Lodi than St. Helena. Barf.