Winemaker Notes
The 2020 Cabernet is exhibiting flavors of tart cherry on the front with notes of ripe blackberry on the finish. Toasted spices, like coriander can be detected as well as nutmeg. The French oak lends a nice addition of warm vanilla. Tannins are balanced and smooth. Our Cabernet would benefit from a few months of aging as its flavors are still evolving.
Lodi is justifiably lauded for its old vine Zinfandels, but it is a production powerhouse when it comes to Cabernet Sauvignon. Lodi and its surrounding area (San Joaquin County) rank third in the state in acres planted to Cab, behind Napa and Paso Robles/San Luis Obispo County. But in total tons crushed Lodi is number one by a wide margin, surpassing Napa and Paso combined. In other words, Lodi produces more Cabernet Sauvignon than anywhere else in the U.S. This more volume-driven approach to viticulture makes possible the value-oriented bottlings that so many wine drinkers reach for on an everyday basis. These offer the varietal’s classic profile of dark fruit, oak influence, subtle herbal and green pepper notes and solid structure. Try Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon from wineries like Cosentino, Ironstone, Lapis Luna and The Federalist.