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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Wine Enthusiast
This wine remains one of the finest values in the Napa Valley and a cool-climate example of the variety, to boot. With great opening aromas of blackberry, clove and dried herb, the lifted, balanced flavors follow suit, showing plenty of freshness and length around a well-integrated and elegant core.
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Wine & Spirits
Tart cherry and blackcurrant flavors provide the fruit focus in this wine, framed by oak but not subsumed by it. The tannins are herbal and gentle in tone. For roast lamb. BEST BUY
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Connoisseurs' Guide
11% Cabernet Franc; 2% other. There are not many wineries in Northern California with such a long and distinguished history of making quality wines at affordable prices as Truchard. And, here is yet another successful effort. This one sports well-focused, curranty aromas and flavors with a touch of richness for good measure and is balanced and supple yet solid in texture. It will support a bit of cellaring but does not demand it.
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.