One thing I know about California's Pacific Coast Highway is that it is, according to the USDOT, an "official National Scenic Byway" (as though there are unofficial NSBs lurking out there). Now that's perhaps not the best way to suck the fun out of one of the most scenic drives in the U.S., but I'd guess that it's up there.
But on to the wine. This 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is my first foray into the Pacific Coast Highway (or PCH - I'm not sure which name Fresh & Easy is going with) line of middle-shelf domestics. It's markedly minty and menthol-y on the nose, with an undercurrent of sweet dark fruit. On the palate it's fairly plush and inviting, with juicy cherry, blackberry, and boysenberry notes - indeed, "juicy" is an apt single-word descriptor for this wine - balanced a good thread of acidity. The tannins are modest and short-lived.
In a few words: this is a wine in the company of the likes of California stalwarts Fetzer, Meridian, and perhaps Mondavi's "Private Selection" line. It's a relatively direct and easy-drinking red that makes for a nice every-other-day sort of bottle, and at ~$9 it's priced at about the level I'd expect for a Cab with grapes sourced from "California" in general rather than a more specific sub-appellation (e.g. Napa). A good choice, perhaps, to accompany a spring picnic just off of a National Scenic Byway near you.
Score
Drinkability: 8/10
Price: 3.5/5
Total value: 11.5/15
Great bottle of wine for the price!
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