Paso Robles has been producing dependable value the last few years, especially when it comes to big reds.  Much like Valentine’s Day in February, Paso Robles is a hot break from the cool California coast, and this facilitates varietals from Cabernet Sauvignon to Zinfandel to Syrah.  Thanks to the lower name recognition when compared with Napa, this also means that you can get pretty good values out of Paso Robles.  While vineyards like Saxum and Turley have claims to fame, can Rusina Cabernet Sauvignon make its own starlight for a reasonable price?

Sight:  Firm from edge to edge,  purplish in the middle with hints of brick around the rim.

Smell:  Blackberry, plum, and cracked black pepper all jump out at the start.  Hints of toasted oak are involved, with a bit of tobacco and charcoal.

Sip:  The mouthfeel is heavy with good weight, and a smoothness rounding out the edges.  The spiciness of the tobacco comes back into play, and create a dominate backbone for plum and blackberry to stick to.  There are hints of herb, but most of the elements are toasty and spicy and bound by that sweet-sourness of the tobacco.

Savor:  The tannins are firm, but small grained, minimizing the coarseness.  Plum and blackberry carry through with just a hint of spice and wet gravel.

Rusina Cabernet Sauvignon is well defined, and has a fun texture.  The flavor combination is nice, but ends up skewing a bit away from the fruit into tobacco and spice.  While it isn’t balanced, it has a good amount punch and a nice weight to it.  The finish is the highlight here.  Rusina Cabernet Sauvignon is a decent choice at the price point, just don’t expect to it jump out with lots of fruit or balance.

Verdict:  Tobacco, Blackberry, Black Plum, Smooth
Rating: 67
Price: $11  –  Available at Wine Library
Paso Robles, California