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Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon Review: Is It Worth Trying It?

Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon Review: Is It Worth Trying It?

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most widely planted grape varieties in the world, and it was all an accident. It has an interesting history and is a delightful, full-bodied wine that can be smokey, savory, or fruity, depending on where the grapes are grown.

Many wine producers make a Cabernet Sauvignon, and Barefoot is one of them. If you’re itching to try a Cabernet Sauvignon at a reasonable price, look no further than this review to see if it’s right for you.

About Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon has a relatively high alcohol content. It’s typically between 13% and 15%. It’s deep red in color and has a full body. It’s more dry than sweet, and you may notice flavors like tobacco, vanilla, dark fruits, or green pepper.

Cabernet Sauvignon is grown all over the world and the flavor will vary depending upon the weather and the soil where the grapes are grown. Some may be fruity while others are smokey.

The tannins and the acidity is high, making your mouth feel dry as you sip it. For new wine drinkers, it may be a bit overwhelming and not a great place to start. However, if you do want to give it a try, it can be enjoyed with food to balance out the flavor profile and make it seem less intimidating.

Barefoot Cabernet

About Barefoot

Barefoot enjoys promoting community. They support a lot of charities and they love to bring people together over a shared love of wine. They strive to make wine that tastes good and they have many different award-winning flavors.

Because Barefoot has so many different wine varieties, there’s usually something for everyone. They’re also a large wine manufacturer rather than a family-owned vineyard, so while you won’t find the wine to have a lot of unique character, you will find that the flavor profiles are consistent from bottle to bottle. You’ll always know what to expect.

They have a wide variety of red wines, white wines, pink wines, champagnes, and spritzers. You can count on your favorite variety to taste the same every time you pour a glass. You’ll also be able to trust the affordability of Barefoot wines. They’re accessible to everyone.

These are great table wines and wines to share with friends. You won’t find vintages on the bottles, which is typical among cheaper wines, because of the volume produced and the way they source grapes from many different locations.

Barefoot has excellent quality control which allows for consistency across vintages, so that every time you buy a bottle of the one you love, you can count on it to taste just the way you like it.

While some people think this kind of predictability is boring, others will come to rely on it for their favorites. It’s a personal preference. If you like to experiment with different wines, it may not be for you, but if you don’t want to branch out of your comfort zone, it’s the perfect wine.

I’ve never found a Barefoot wine to be undrinkable, even if it’s not my favorite. They’re cheap, but good, even if they do lack excitement and character.

Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting

Barefoot’s Cabernet Sauvignon is imported and bottled in Modesto, California, but it actually originates in Argentina, per the label on the bottle. Argentinian wines often don’t get the credit they deserve, so I was interested to find out if Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon lived up to my expectations.

Appearance

Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon is an opaque red. I expected a darker color consistent with other Cabernet Sauvignon varieties. It also had a bit of effervescence when poured, although it’s not sparkling. That quickly dissipated. The legs of the wine formed quickly and were very thick and evenly spaced. They traveled slowly, indicating that the alcohol level is quite high in comparison to other wine varieties.

Aroma

Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon smells of black cherry and earth. You may also notice other red fruits like currants, but everyone’s nose will pick up on different scents. Tobacco, blackberry, and oak are some other possibilities. What I didn’t notice in the aroma was alcohol, despite it having a high content. The normal sting you might find form a wine with high ABV can be overpowering, so this 13.5% wine was a bit easier on the nose.

Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting

Taste

Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon has a buttery flavor, with currant and in the middle, and an oaky finish. I also tasted some raspberry. I wouldn’t expect any Cabernet Sauvignon to be buttery, so that was a bit unusual, but it didn’t turn me off.

Mouthfeel

The tannins are quite high in Cabernet Sauvignon, which can lead to a heavy, dry mouthfeel. Not everyone likes the overwhelming dryness of wine, so you may be pleasantly surprised with the Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon. The tannins are more subtle than in other Cabernet Sauvignon wines.

Finish

The finish is long and it carries the same flavors as when you sip it.

Overall

This Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon was satisfying. It’s deep and rich, and a fun wine to sip by the fire. It’s not the best Cabernet Sauvignon I’ve ever had, but it’s certainly not the worst either.

It has a lighter body than a lot of other Cabernet Sauvignon wines so it was rather enjoyable. It strikes a great balance between aroma, flavor, and finish. It’s not complex, so it will appeal to a lot of beginners.

If you want a high-quality, complex Cabernet Sauvignon, this one isn’t it. But that doesn’t mean it’s bad. It’s a good table wine to serve with friends because it’s approachable, fruity, and affordable.

Food Pairings

Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon Food Pairings

Cabernet Sauvignon traditionally pairs well with red meats and cheeses. You could drink Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon with a filet and baked potato or with a tray full of sharp cheddar cheese.

However, because Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon is a bit lighter than a traditional Cabernet Sauvignon, it would also pair well with spaghetti and red sauce or seafood. Drink it with whatever food you like, and it will add something delightful to your meal.

Alternatives to Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon

If you’re not keen on trying the Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon, or you’ve already tried it and you’re not a fan, don’t write off Cabernet Sauvignon altogether. Here are some other Cabernet Sauvignon wines you can try.

Substance Cabernet Sauvignon

Substance Cabernet Sauvignon

This California winery churns out a Cabernet Sauvignon that has more flavors of tobacco and chocolate. It’s heavier in the mouth, velvety, and smooth. You may enjoy this one a bit more than the Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon if you like your wine to be richer in flavor.

It’s not as cheap as the Barefoot wines, but it’s still affordable, ringing up under $15 a bottle.

Hogue Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

Hogue Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

This particular Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with a touch of Merlot, so it’s softer around the edges. It’s filled with fruit and has great structure, so you might enjoy this one if you prefer more fruit flavors with an easier drinking experience.

Forest Glen Cabernet Sauvignon

Forest Glen Cabernet Sauvignon

This Cabernet Sauvignon is widely available and affordable, just like the Barefoot. It has a heavier, more velvety texture to it, and you’re likely to find it almost anywhere. It’s a great alternative to Barefoot if you want something you can grab at the corner store that’s both smoother and richer.

Non-Cabernet Sauvignon Varieties

If you don’t like Cabernet Sauvignon, or you simply want to try some other reds to see if you like those, here are some options for you.

Merlot

Barefoot Merlot

Merlot tends to be more delicate and fruity. It can be smoother and easier to drink because it’s not as heavy or dry. It can be sweet or dry, but it tends to be less dry than your Cabernet Sauvignon.

Pinot Noir

Barefoot Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is thin and delicate where Cabernet Sauvignon and bold and punchy. You may want to try Pinot Noir if you’d like something that’s not as heavy, powerful, or intimidating. Pinot Noir grapes are a lot more difficult to grow, where Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are tough and adaptable.

Malbec

Barefoot Malbec

Malbec tends to be a cheaper alternative to high-priced Cabernet Sauvignon. The flavor profile is similar, but Malbec doesn’t cost as much. However, given that the Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon is pretty affordable, you may choose not to go this route.

You may like Malbec better if you’re looking for an inky purple color with flavors like blackberry, plum, or black cherry. Malbec isn’t as sophisticated as Cabernet Sauvignon, but if that’s not a concern of yours, then it’s a great alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cabernet Sauvignon taste like?

It depends on where the grapes are grown, but it’s always going to be full in body with a lot of tannins. It’s dry and contains flavors of dark fruit as well as some vanilla, green pepper, and tobacco.

What is the best Cabernet Sauvignon?

This is always a matter of personal preference. Cabernet Sauvignon is grown all over the world. France and the United States are the most popular places, but as you already know, it can come from Argentina, too.

Weather will affect the taste of your Cabernet Sauvignon as well. Grapes grown in cooler climates are tart and have higher tannins. Grapes grown in cooler climates ripen much easier and contain more sugar. They’ll also be darker in color.

If you like your wine bold and heavy with high tannins, try a Cabernet Sauvignon from France or northern California. If you would rather experience a lighter body, try a Cabernet Sauvignon from Argentina.

Is Cabernet the same thing as Cabernet Sauvignon?

Yes! Much like people often shorten Pinot Noir to Pinot, Cabernet is simply another way of saying Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s the same thing.

Is Cabernet Sauvignon dry or sweet?

This can be confusing to understand. Generally, Cabernet Sauvignon is at the dry end of the sweetness scale. However, it can have some fruity flavors that make it taste sweet. And it all depends on how and where the grapes are grown, as well as the climate.

Cabernet Sauvignon will never be as sweet as a Moscato, but it also isn’t always completely dry. It can sometimes be somewhere in the middle.

Should you chill Cabernet Sauvignon?

Cabernet Sauvignon is best served room temperature. As a rule, you should serve sweet wines chilled and dry wines at room temperature. However, this can be an interesting personal preference. Some people do like their wines chilled, even when that’s against the general recommendation.

The Verdict

Cabernet Sauvignon isn’t the most approachable wine. If you’re new to trying wines, it can be a bit intimidating because it’s so bold and powerful. However, the Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon is a bit friendlier on the palette and offers something that’s a bit easier to drink than some others.

I would recommend Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon to those who love Cabernet Sauvignon as a wine and for those who want a Cabernet that’s both affordable and enjoyable. It’s easy to drink and offers a great wine to enjoy with friends.

Further read: 

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