Winemaker Notes
This is their fourth vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon from Margarita Vineyard in southern Paso Robles. Margarita Vineyard is a beautiful off-the-beaten-path jewel in Paso. It is located at 1000 ft. elevation and 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Some people may consider this area in California to be “too cool” to fully ripen Cabernet, but we believe it to be the opposite. The maritime climate affords us a longer growing season to help ripen the Cabernet without it being overly ripe. This is a very delicate expression of California Cabernet, with mild tannins in the background from the small berries.
Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, and 5% Merlot.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: Brea's focus on letting their wines speak for themselves is evident with the well-made 2016 Margarita Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. TASTING NOTES: This wine is all about where it is from and what the grapes should taste like, and this is a refreshing experience. Its aromas and flavors of black free, tree bark, and earth make it an excellent pairing partner with a grilled ribeye. (Tasted: September 25, 2018, San Francisco, CA)
As Paso Robles, California has soared in number of wineries and gained in popularity, Cabernet Sauvignon has firmly taken root as the region’s number one varietal. Alone, it accounts for just over 40% of plantings and is grown throughout both the western and eastern sides of the appellation. Though viticulture here dates back to the 18th century, Cabernet Sauvignon didn’t emerge as a significant grape here until the 1970’s. But since then it has definitely made up for lost time.
Legendary winemaker and consultant Andre Tchelistcheff first recognized Paso’s potential with Cabernet Sauvignon in the early 1960’s. The calcareous soil and dramatic diurnal temperature changes of Paso’s westside particularly intrigued him. Today modern winemaking techniques and focused experimentation with various clones, rootstocks and vineyard strategies optimize the region's ideal combination of soil and climate to deliver the best fruit possible.
The results are evident in the glass. Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon can be mesmerizing, with rich aromas and flavors of blackberry, cassis, black cherry, graphite, toasty oak, vanilla and spice. The structure, balance and unbridled opulence of these wines impress from first sip to last. Not surprisingly, Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignons have steadily grown in reputation, not just in the U.S., but around the world.