Winemaker Notes
Cabernet Sauvignon is planted in several different sites - on steep, southwestern facing hillsides. The vines range from 19 - 41 years old, and produce wines that are deep in color, dominated by lush flavors of plum, berry, and spice. Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec are blended in to provide additional softness, structure, and complexity.
Professional Ratings
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Connoisseurs' Guide
10% Cabernet Franc; 1% Petit Verdot; 1% Malbec. Carneros may not be the first place that comes to mind when the discussion turns to good Cabernet, but a very good Cabernet this one is, and it is all the more remarkable coming as it does with a very friendly price. It is long on slightly juicy, well-ripened black cherry fruit with suggestions of black olives and a trim complement of sweet oak merging in a polished, well-structured, never-severe package, and it earns an enthusiastic thumbs-up vote as a bona fide Best Buy in today’s Cabernet market. Good Value
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Wine Enthusiast
With 10% Cabernet Franc and 1% each of Petit Verdot and Malbec, this elegant red is soft, supple and rounded in cassis and black cherry. Nuanced oak allows room for a hint of baking spice, clove and vanilla to complement the fruit.
Editors' Choice
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
Known for elegant wines that combine power and finesse, Carneros is set in the rolling hills that straddle the southernmost parts of both Sonoma and Napa counties. The cooling winds from the abutting San Pablo Bay, combined with lots of midday California sunshine, create an ideal environment for producing wines with a perfect balance of crisp acidity and well-ripened fruit.
This cooler pocket of California lends itself to growing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. Carneros is an important source of sparkling wines made in the style of Champagne as well.