Hello! Up next in our special series of affordable cabernets with one-word names that start with H, we have Heron, a $13 cab from Mendocino, California’s 2009 vintage.
WOW, what’s up with Heron?? This cab is only $13, yet it has exactly what I want: dark ruby color, plentiful tannins, that warm black raspberry/currants taste, and a medium-to-heavy feel. It improved on day 2, but I was happy when it was first uncorked. The noticeable oak is like the middle dish in that bedtime story: “just right.” In fact, Heron cabernet does almost nothing wrong, and as a bonus, it’s only 13% alcohol. So it won’t rock your block. Unless you drink the whole bottle in one sitting, which you will be tempted to do.
This $13 wonder gets a “Best Value” award. Even at $18 (which is what Total Wine charges, for some reason), the price would seem right. Still going strong on day 3, this lovely California girl is: