One of my New Year’s resolutions was to sample most of the wines available here from California. In January, we sampled three:

Clos du Bois, a 2102 Cabernet Sauvignon from a winery in Geyserville, California, drew “Mmmm”s of appreciation from three of us when we took our first sips with a dinner of salmon, baked potatoes and veggies. It is very smooth at first taste, and lives up to its billing on the label, displaying “aromas and flavors of dark berry, bittersweet chocolate and hints of spice.” It’s a full-bodied dry wine and “French inspired” just as the label claims. It sold for about $18 at the SAQ, but offered a promotional coupon for $1.50 off, plus a free red eternity scarf — which I have been wearing. We liked the wine so much that I purchased two more bottles! My opinion: Meant to be drunk with dinner, not alone. Rating: 8.5 (on a scale of 1-10)

Revolution, a Cabernet Sauvignon version from this popular company in Sacramento, California. This wine was tasty, but lite — the word “watery” comes to mind. A nice drink on a hot summer day, either on its own or with salad. It was on sale at the SAQ for $9.95 but has since been raised to about $10.95. Rating: 7

Fetzer, a 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon from this winery in Hopland, California. It is clearly the winner of the month, and lives up to its label billing of “elegant flavours of black cherry and chocolate.” It is, indeed, elegant and full-bodied, with an intriguing aftertaste that lingers longer than any wine I have sipped before. We drank it with a spicy spaghetti dinner and garlic bread, and it proved to be a noble accompaniment. It sold for about $16 at the SAQ, but had a promotional coupon for $1 off. Yes, I will be buying more of this one. My opinion: Meant to be drunk with dinner, not alone. Rating: 9

— Jillian