Winemaker Notes
Il Cuore Cabernet Sauvignon is combined with Petite Sirah and Merlot varieties and offers black cherry flavors and plenty of plush tannins. Petite Sirah contributes lush ripe plum and berry flavors and adds body. The Merlot brings us lovely floral scents and a smooth mouth feel. The blend was aged in 60-gallon neutral oak barrels to develop complexity without overwhelming the wine with aggressive oak flavors.
Blend: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Petite Sirah, 8% Merlot
Il Cuore Cabernet Sauvignon is recommended with Mediterranean cuisine and classic Italian dishes. Ideal pairings include lean grilled meats, or salmon and tuna. Aged cheeses are wonderful when drinking our Cabernet, and don’t forget rich dark chocolate, Salute!
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.