California Cabernet for Christmas
Pick one of these California Cabs to drink with roast beef, a hearty stew or strong cheeses over the festive season.
Like a young Barolo or Bordeaux, California Cabernet can be dense and tannic in youth. The consensus has traditionally been that they need cellar time to become more approachable, but more and more people are drinking these wines when they are still in their infancy.
Modern viticultural and winemaking practices have helped to make this a possibility, with a trend towards lowering yields to increase concentration, and micro-oxygenation techniques softening tannins. The muscular Californain Cabernets of the previous two decades are beginning to give way to more modern, elegant styles.
Our list below focusses on the latter – more accessible, elegant styles of Cab that will complement rather than overpower your Christmas dinner. Try pairing them with rare red meat or strong, hard cheeses.
California Cabernet for Christmas:
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Ashes & Diamonds, No 2 Red Hen Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll, California, USA, 2017
Crunchy red berries on nose and palate with a touch of black fruit and mint. Tannins are quite obvious at the moment, and will soften...
2017
Ashes & DiamondsNapa Valley
Acaibo, Sonoma County, Chalk Hill, California, USA, 2016
Rich, heady and expressive nose - ripe and concentrated, fragranced with scented black cherry notes, dark chocolate powder, tobacco, coffee grains and some touches...
2016
AcaiboSonoma County
Bryant Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2012
This vintage was known for producing rather soft, even facile wines, but that is not the case here. The nose is simply gorgeous, with lush...
2012
Bryant EstateNapa Valley
Diamond Creek Vineyards, Volcanic Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain, California, USA, 2018
In one of the estate’s warmest microclimates, the grey, light volcanic ash soils of southfacing Volcanic Hill derive from an eruption some eight million years...
2018
Diamond Creek VineyardsNapa Valley
Freemark Abbey, Sycamore Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Rutherford, California, USA, 2018
This vintage, 77% Cabernet Sauvignon is supported by Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot to soften and lend extra layers of rich fruit. Intense blueberry...
2018
Freemark AbbeyNapa Valley
Groth, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Oakville, California, USA, 2017
The 2017 Groth Cabernet Sauvignon is very tight and precise, with red fruit and brown spice notes. Cedarwood spices mingle with intense, granular tannins, and...
2017
GrothNapa Valley
Louis M Martini, Stagecoach Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Napa County, California, USA, 2018
Brooding aromas – all liquorice, spice, cocoa, coffee and kirsch. The palate is equally reticent in terms of discernible, distinct flavours, but absolutely crammed with...
2018
Louis M MartiniNapa Valley
Tor, Oakville Hillsides Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Oakville, California, USA, 2016
Most of this wine comes from the Tierra Roja Vineyard, but Tor Kenward was so captivated by a parcel of Cabernet Franc from Beckstoffer's To...
2016
TorNapa Valley
Arkenstone, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain, California, USA, 2013
Aromatics of white pepper, sage, and deep dark berry fruit accent the 2013 vintage. Flavours of cassis, tobacco, and rich chocolate coat the palate with...
2013
ArkenstoneNapa Valley
Caymus Vineyards, Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Rutherford, California, USA, 1986
From Caymus' estate vineyards in Rutherford and aged in oak for about four years before release. The nose is all dried leaves and herbs, the...
1986
Caymus VineyardsNapa Valley
Michel Rolland, MR Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2017
Minty black fruit aromas on the nose. Broad and powerful style with some serious dark fruit core and layers of earthy undertones. Savoury finish.
2017
Michel RollandNapa Valley
Joel Gott, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, USA, 2017
91
On sale from the end of October 2022, this Napa Valley Cabernet is pricey compared to most other reds on the Tesco shelves, but represents good valley for a Napa Cabernet at this level of quality – they never come cheap. Approachable and uber-drinkable, this is packed with ripe dark fruit – black plum, blueberry and blackcurrant – and has velvety tannins, structure and vanilla spice from the oak. A treat, and a great way to discover what good California Cab can offer.
2017
Joel Gott
