Wine labels get more and more interesting all the time. Perhaps there is great marketing value in them. My latest new wine try (Toasted Head Cabernet Sauvignon) had a label along with a price point that made me say, “lets give it a try.” The wine label has a picture of a bear with flames coming out of its mouth. At first I wondered if it was a reference to bears having bad breath but my research found otherwise. The name of this wine was inspired by the process of toasting the head of barrels. The picture on the bottle came from an artists’ interpretation of a poem.
This wine is attractively priced for what it offers. It can be had in the $12 to $14 range for a 750ml bottle. The color is a very nice amber deep purple. The smell is one of fruit and smoke. The winemaker says this on the taste: “The palate showcases chocolate, coffee and tobacco with berry notes supported by a rich tannin structure.” When I taste it I can detect tobacco for sure, some chocolate and a hint of berries. The coffee is a bit harder for me to find. The tannins are good, definitely not overwhelming. Toasted Head Cabernet Sauvignon does have a finish that stays with you a bit. All in all this wine offers a fair amount of complex flavor for the money your spending.
A few more notes on Toasted Head Cabernet Sauvignon (2006). The wine is aged for 18-20 months in oak barrels. Toasted Head Cab originates from the North Coast region of California. I saw a review on Snooth that rated this wine an 86 points which I think is fair though I personally think its good for at least an 88+.
