August 30th is National Cabernet Sauvignon Day!! I’ve been hard at work over the last few months to bring you some of my absolute favorite bottles to try to celebrate.
Cabernet Sauvignon is a natural cross between the grapes Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc originating in Bordeaux, France. I have not included any wines from Bordeaux today primarily because these wines are more of a blend than a true expression of the Cabernet grape.
These 10 wines are some of my favorite expressions of California Cabernets. I hope you enjoy! Let me know if you have tried any of these in the comments!
2014 Poggi Wines Twin Palms Cabernet Sauvignon
One of my all time favorite Cabernets from Napa. Laurie and Tom Poggi craft these extremely small production wines from their Twin Palm estate which is located literally in their front yard. This is one of my favorite wines to pair with food and goes shockingly well with brunch!
2016 Gamble Family Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Cassis, black fruits, dark plum, menthol, lot of cedar, vanilla, clove. On the palate, the wine is youthful, fresh berry, nice integrated tannin and a shockingly high amount of acidity. This wine can clearly age for many years to come, but is delicious now!
2018 Priest Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon
Black cherry surrounded by smokiness. Savory herbs and leather accompany dark fruits on the nose give way to a nice robust body and good amount of balanced tannin and acidity.
2016 Sullivan Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
A true gem for your cellar! Juicy, decadent black cherries and and rich plum coated in dark chocolate and baking spices. The dusty tannins give way to a full, round body on the palate with an excellent finish.
2017 Nickel & Nickel State Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon
One of my favorites coming from Nickel & Nickel, the State Ranch Vineyard is located in the Yountville AVA. Muddled black and blue fruits mingle with fresh red cherry and are accompanied by a hint of cedar and minerality. The velvety tannins make way for a long, complex finish.
2016 Goldschmidt Vineyards, Alexander Valley Yoeman Cabernet Sauvignon
Goldschmidt Vineyards is quickly becoming one of my favorite producers. Their Yoeman Vineyard Cab from Sonoma hails from a small mountain vineyard that gives a lovely softness to this wine of red and black fruits, plum, cedar and a lovely acidity.
2016 Frank Family Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Black cherries and plums dusted in a light coco powder and accented with vanilla and baking spices make this wine a gorgeous, classic example of Napa Cab and perfect for any occasion.
2016 Mi Sueño Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Leading with the name “My Dream,” this delicious wine expresses such a unique complexity in the Napa terroir. The lively red & black cherries liner in the wings as the complex graphite, cigar box and cedar take center stage.
2016 Salvestrin Cabernet Sauvignon, Dr. Crane Vineyard
This was one of the first samples I received during quarantine and I must say it made those early days more tolerable! Black Fruits, toasty barrel spices, a hint of leather and cigar smoke leave this wine with a delicious, robust mouthfeel!
Ancient Peaks Paso Robles Oyster Ridge
A lovely 80% Cabernet Dominant blend from Ancient Peaks in Paso Robles! This wine is named after the oyster fossil rich soils of their Margarita Vineyard. Red and blue fruits dominate with a hint of wet earth and spice to round out the palate.
