Winemaker Notes
We began by sourcing American oak barrels that had been toasted, charred, and drenched in Kentucky bourbon.
Our Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon is then added and aged for four months, imparting additional layers of complexity, depth and flavor. The result is a refined, full-bodied Cabernet with bold fruit flavors. Dark cherry, blackberry and plum enrich the palate, providing excellent structure and generous tannins.
The bourbon influences add notes of vanilla, caramel, and spice that lead into a long, smooth finish.
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
This 100% Cab is aged four months in charred Kentucky bourbon barrels. On the nose, notes of caramel and toasted oak meld with blackberries and spiced figs. Black cherries zing on the palate alongside cinnamonkissed coffee bean before new leather and vanilla lengthen the finish, urging on spiced orange peel and toffee. The result is reminiscent of bourbon’s fine character.
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.