Talus Collection Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Impresses Wine Critic

Smooth, affordable Lodi Cab offers dark fruit and mild tannins, perfect for pasta or pork.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Wine critic Randy Fuller reviewed the 2008 Talus Collection Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon, finding it to be a surprisingly smooth and affordable Cab with notes of dark fruit, licorice, and pencil shavings. Fuller noted the wine's soft tannins and versatility in pairing with pasta, pork, or simply sipping.

Why it matters

The Lodi region of California's Central Valley is known for producing high-quality, value-priced wines that can compete with more expensive Napa and Sonoma offerings. This review highlights how an affordable Lodi Cab can deliver an enjoyable drinking experience.

The details

Fuller described the Talus Collection Lodi Cab as having a nose of blackberries, plums, licorice, and pencil shavings, with a hint of barnyard notes. On the palate, the wine offered smooth, mild tannins, juicy blackberry and plum flavors, and herbal undertones. Despite the low price point, Fuller found the wine to be very drinkable over the course of several days after opening.

  • The wine was reviewed and published on February 15, 2026.

The players

Randy Fuller

A wine critic who reviewed the Talus Collection Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon 2008.

Talus Collection

A wine brand that produces the Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon reviewed in the article.

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What they’re saying

“I will nearly always part with a few dollars for the opportunity to try a Lodi wine.”

— Randy Fuller, Wine Critic (nowandzin.com)

The takeaway

This review showcases how an affordable Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon can deliver an enjoyable drinking experience, with smooth tannins and versatile pairing options, proving that quality wine doesn't have to come with a high price tag.