Bonanza by Chuck Wagner California Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 1
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
More than 40 years after he and his parents founded Caymus Vineyards, Chuck Wagner undertook a new project: creating a Cabernet Sauvignon from a broader stretch of California farmland. He was guided by the memory of enjoying family meals, always accompanied by a good glass of wine. Chuck wanted to create delicious Cabernet that would be more widely accessible, made from places worthy of exploration and discovery.
And so, Bonanza Cabernet Sauvignon was born, celebrating the “bonanza” or fortune to be found in our great state. As Chuck puts it, “We are proud to be making this multi-vintage California-appellation Cabernet Sauvignon. Do you have any idea how much fun this is for a seasoned winemaker?” Bonanza calls back to a simpler time, and Chuck’s hope is that it will invite people to enjoy good wine as a simple pleasure of everyday life.
Covering the most vine acreage in the state compared to any other red wine variety, Cabernet Sauvignon produces as much wine in California as Merlot and Pinot Noir combined. The state’s diverse terrain and microclimates, as well as the freedom of its winemakers, allow for an incredible range of wine styles from this single grape.
California’s most famous region—and especially for Cabernet Sauvignon—is the acclaimed Napa Valley. While Cabernet is successful throughout the world, rarely has it achieved such merit as it does from the Napa Valley. At this point the two are so intrinsically linked that it is difficult to discuss one without the other.
Napa’s closest neighbor, Sonoma County, does an impressive job keeping up with Napa’s fame and glory. Alexander Valley, Sonoma Mountain, Moon Mountain and Knights Valley contribute to the lot of some of California’s top-rated Cabernet Sauvignon.
Lake County in California’s North Coast has become a focus for some of Napa’s more respected growers. From the Central Coast come iconic examples of classic California Cabernet; Lodi and the Sierra Foothills are great budget-friendly sources of amicable Cabernets.