As the wave of NBA professionals going into wine grows, we were curious: are they worth the hype? The Wine Daily decided to test two NBA Cabernet Sauvignon wines side by side: James Harden’s J. Harden Cabernet Sauvignon and the Three By Wade Cabernet Sauvignon. Both are California-appelated wines, meaning their grapes can come from anywhere in California. They are also similarly-priced, with Harden’s at $15.99 and Wade’s at $25.99.
The Mission
Both Harden and Wade’s wines have a worthy mission: to make good wine affordable and inclusive. Wade Cellars’ website states that it “strives to make the wine industry more inclusive to people of all backgrounds by consciously growing production and creating opportunities for access and education to all those who choose to indulge in this affordable luxury.
Meanwhile, Harden’s website states, “I wanted to bring excitement to the wine industry and turn some heads, with a wine that you can drink anywhere – nice dinner & at home chilling – something that I would drink often. That was the kind of lane I was looking for… something real.”
Behind The Wines
While the wines have a lot in common, there is also one major difference – Dwayne Wade’s wine is a partnership with Napa winemaker, Pahlmeyer. Pahlmeyer is known for its powerful, Bordeaux-style blends. Meanwhile, Harden’s is a partnership with J Shed Wines, a wine within the Accolade wines portfolio. J Shed (short for Jam Shed) is a line of very jammy, fruit-forward, and approachable wines.
J Harden Cabernet Sauvignon Review & Tasting Notes
It should come as no surprise that the J Harden wines, like Jam Shed wines, are very jammy and fruit-forward. The J Harden California Cabernet Sauvignon is medium purple in the glass fading to pink at the rim, a testimony to its ripeness. On the palate, it is a full-court press of dark fruit, with luscious blackberry, black cherry, and blueberry compote flavors carried on a bed of smooth tannins and soft acidity. Those who like slightly sweet, fruity wines will enjoy the J Harden line.
The Three by Wade California Cabernet Sauvignon provides a stark contrast to Harden’s wines. As can be expected from its Pahlmeyer partnership, this wine is produced more in a Bordeaux style. Its color, deep ruby rather than purple, alludes to grapes that are less ripe. Black plum, black cherry, and blackberry fruit are backed by juicy acidity, smooth yet firm tannins, and a dry finish.
The Final Standings
The first thing to keep in mind with both Wade and Harden’s wines is that they are meant to be affordable and accessible. To achieve a lower price, both wines source grapes from multiple regions across California, rather than one area. As such, it is not fair to expect them to be as expressive of terroir as AVA-specific wines. The benchmark to compare these wines to is similarly-priced California Cabernet Sauvignon — consider Decoy, Mondavi, and Hall as examples.
If you want to enjoy wine without spending too much on it, or regularly drink California-appellated red wines, both Harden and Wade’s wines are approachable and ready to drink now. Those who prefer wines from single estates or viticultural regions may want to stick with those site-specific wines.