Winemaker Notes
Blend: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
-
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignons, what are they about, and what about Paicines? This small AVA is an area of California Cabernet production is one that I have seldom come across. This wine tastes like a cooler-climate effort, and indeed it is. TASTING NOTES. From start to finish, the 2014 Donati Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits a raciness of palate presence coupled with an almost chewiness on the palate. The wine's red fruits and dried leaves make it an excellent pairing candidate with pan-seared lamb chops. (Tasted: February 8, 2018, San Francisco, CA)
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
The warmest part of the greater San Benito AVA, but cooler than the Central Valley, the Paicines appellation excels in the production of concentrated and high-quality, red Bordeaux varietal wines and blends.