Winemaker Notes
This wine is full-bodied with layers of plum, cedar, sage, and smoky leather. Elegant, round tannins and a touch of vanilla with oasty caramel linger on the finish. It pairs well with roasted, broiled, or barbecued game and red meats such as lamb and beef, as well as pork and veal. Medium and strong-flavored cheeses, such as blue cheese or sharp cheddar, also pair nicely with this wine.
Blend: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah, 4% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A cool nose of blackcurrant, blackberry, pine and ripe red cherry. Full-bodied with velvety tannins. Well-structured palate with balanced acidity that articulates the dark fruit and spice. Cardamom and paprika. Sustainable.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2018 Ferrari-Carano Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon is bright and lively. TASTING NOTES: This wine offers aromas and flavors of enticing black fruits and raspberries. Pair with an old-fashioned, slow-cooked beef stew. (Tasted: March 24, 2022, Rutherford, CA)
While Sonoma County is acclaimed—and rightfully so—for its Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, and Zinfandels, it also produces exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. Of the region’s 18 American Viticultural Areas, only a handful produce top-notch Cabernet Sauvignon. These appellations include Alexander Valley, Knights Valley, Sonoma Valley and Dry Creek Valley. Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignons made in these appellations can offer a complex array of aromas and flavors. Fruit notes such as blackberry, blackcurrant, cassis, black cherry and raspberry often are accompanied by hints of graphite, dusty earth, cigar box, toast and vanilla. The varietal has a rich history in Sonoma, and some of these Cabernet Sauvignons and Cabernet-based blends rival the best from Napa Valley.