California Cabernet Sauvignon Wine

Compared to Cabernet produced in other regions like Bordeaux (which has a cooler climate) California Cabernet Sauvignon grapes ripen fully, producing wines with fewer tannins and lower acidity. The typical style of California Cabernet Sauvignon is jammy, rich in fruit and with subtle notes of baking spices, including:

• Black cherry

• Black currant

• Blackberry

• Plum

• Licorice

• Vanilla

• Black pepper

The type of fruit flavors (dark fruit like blackberry vs red fruit like raspberry), as well as the level of tannin and acidity, can vary considerably depending on where the wine is produced. Cooler regions like the Santa Cruz Mountains, Mendocino or the coastal areas of Sonoma County will tend to produce more brightly fruited wines, with a higher level of tannin and acidity, and a more savory character overall. California Cabernet Sauvignon grown in warmer regions, such as Napa Valley or Paso Robles, are known for their richer expressions, and tend to have mouthfilling layers of dark fruit, softer tannins and lower acidity.'Most California Cabernet Sauvignon is aged in oak barrels (or with oak staves), which contributes some aromas and flavors to the wine. Those wines aged in a high percentage of new oak barrels will tend to have secondary notes of vanilla, coffee and baking spices. Wines aged in older barrels will tend to have more subtle notes of spice. A small number of producers, like Ridge Vineyards and Silver Oak, use American oak barrels in favor of French oak barrels for some of their wines, which can add notes coconut, caramel and dill to the finished wines.

Choosing a good California Cabernet Sauvignon can be tricky, as there is a plethora of options in terms of style and price level. Overall, as with any wine styles, it is important consider the overall balance of the wine.

The best California Cabernet Sauvignon wines will have a seamless marriage of rich fruit, food-friendly tannins, refreshing acidity and alcohol, so that no one aspect of the wine dominates the other. Wines where the alcohol becomes too noticeable or dominant, or those where the fruit tastes overly sweet or confected, may indicate that they come from a very warm climate, where it is difficult to achieve a sufficient level of acidity and tannin to help balance out the robust fruit character. On the other hand, wines grown in very cool climates may have green or herbal notes (indicating that the grapes did not fully ripen) and more astringent and noticeable tannins.

The price of California Cabernet is intimately tied to the price of the land. Given its near-ideal climate for growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley is one of the most expensive places to buy agricultural land in the world, and its wines are therefore never cheap. Prices for Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon start at around $30 per bottle, and can reach up in the $1,000s for the most coveted bottlings. While these wines are generally of a very high quality, there is no need to spend huge sums of money to find a high-quality California Cabernet Sauvignon.

Staying in the North Coast, look to areas like the Alexander Valley (in Sonoma) and Los Carneros (which straddles the Napa and Sonoma Valleys) for elegant yet robustly structured Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Cooler regions like Mendocino and Lake County are also good places to explore for well-balanced, high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon at affordable prices.

The Central Coast region of Paso Robles has been cementing its status as a go-to region for high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon, and ripe-fruited examples can also be found in the historic grape-growing region of Lodi. Head further south to the regions directly north of Santa Barbara, and you'll find some more compelling areas to explore California Cabernet Sauvignon, too.

Shop our wide range of California Cabernet Sauvignon wines to find your favoites.

California Cabernet Sauvignon pairs well with robustly flavored foods. Some classic pairings include well-marbled steaks, prime rib, juicy hamburgers, pasta in meaty tomato-based sauces, rack of lamb, and BBQ dishes such as beef or pork ribs. Flavorful vegetarian dishes, such as a rich mushroom risotto or vegan enchiladas, will also provide a good complement for California Cabernet Sauvignon, as will a range of cheeses (try milder, semi-hard cheeses or an aged cheddar).