This is the second guest post from my friend Paul covering another wine from Costco.

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Price: $5.99 @ Costco

What They Said:

Per Beaulieu Vineyard (pdf) “Approachable and fruit-forward, there is nothing stuffy about our 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon. Fresh-picked blackberries and spring cherries open the aromas, hemmed by vanilla and toast. This juicy cherry-berry core develops through the mouth, picking up cocoa and subtle spices, gently cupped by soft tannins that hold through the lingering finish.”

What Paul Thinks:

The nose is powerful! This jumps out of the glass from 5 inches away and pulls you right in. Strong aroma of hay and barnyard…not my favorite scents, but definitely give the nose lots of character. Unfortunately the fun ends with the nose. A dastardly combination of tannins and tartness greet the palate…effectively a “piss-off, I’m grumpy” welcome to your glass. The mid-ranges are a slight improvement with some jammy notes, but never release to the full-bodied fruits one would expect from a California Cab.

Rating: Skip It
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If anyone is interested in giving this one a try I’m pretty sure you can pick it up at Trader Joe’s as well. Thanks again to Paul for the guest post. Should we pass a motion to make him our official Costco correspondent? If anyone else wants to submit a review for a guest post let me know.

This is a guest post from my friend Paul. I know many of you have been clamoring for me to review some wines from Costco and/or Cost Plus. Given I rarely shop at either of these I have been looking high and low for contributors to help me cover these areas. Paul is the first to step up to the plate.

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Price: $9.99 @ Costco

What They Said:

Per K&L Wines “89 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. According to the Wine Spectator: “This plush red is rich with ripe berry and cherry fruit, accented by leafy and minty notes. Juicy acidity keeps it lively, and there’s just enough tannins for grip. Drink now through 2011.” (11/08)”

What Paul Thinks:

This one is pretty light, but you can search-out hints of fresh herb and tobacco. The body is very well-rounded, with a fruit explosion from the first second on the palate…hitting with blackberry and raspberry waves that have some bite but somehow manage to remain warm and enjoyable. The mid-palate carries a dark chocolate undertone, highlighted with a complex blend of rhubarb, vanilla and oak. The finale has good legs and focuses on cassis, but also has its fair share of tannins for a 2006…very possible this one could age well over the next 2-3 years.

Rating: Buy It
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Luckily for me this one won’t leave me lusting for a Costco membership as I can pick it up at K&L Wines where I just added it to my cart. Thanks again to Paul for covering this wine. Everyone else give him a warm welcome and maybe I’ll be able to convince him to do a few more of these. If you are interested in doing the same let me know via emails or in the comments. Who’s next?