Winemaker Notes
The intense and elegant flavors of the 2010 Jack London Cabernet Sauvignon complement a variety of hearty entrées, including roast beef and lamb.
Professional Ratings
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Wine & Spirits
Kenwood produced the first Jack London Cabernet in 1976 from a site originally planted in 1860; it had been terraced and expanded by writer Jack London, who purchased the land in the early 20th century, the vines reestablished by his descendant, Milo Shepard, the 1970s. The 2010s from this vineyard - including the Zin and the Merlot - are exceptional, with this Cabernet putting on the best performance in years. It has the scent of roses and the bright red fruit of wild berries, with equal freshness in the tannins that seems to hold the wine's potential energy in store. Plump and harmonious, layered with tannic spice, this is a wine to decant now with grilled lamb chops or cellar; at the price, it's well worth investing in a case.
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.