A big, rich and ripe wine (14.5%), but still in the more balanced, food-friendly and even “claret-like” style of the old Newton Red Label Cabernets.
This blends prime Napa and Sonoma fruit with some from Mendocino and Lake Counties – and at a better price (at least here) than comparable Cabs from any of these regions.
As winemaker Anne Dempsey explains:
I think what defines my style is a soft approach that showcases power in an elegant way. Cabernet is a powerful, strong grape. For me, sometimes I think it’s so strong it’s hard to appreciate. I really try to showcase the fruit characteristics and give it a softer style. I think it surprises a lot of people. It’s more fruit-driven and uses oak to help enhance the aromas. But it’s also balanced and in a softer way. So it’s lower on the alcohol spectrum, below 15 percent ABV. A lot of California Cabernets have a lot of alcohol. I think there’s a lot of people out there that shy away a little bit from Cabernet, and this is one that I think can speak to a wider audience.
For those who appreciate more sophisticated and authentic Cabernet – even at a price point like this.
