In the tasting room at Sierra Vista there are a lot of different palates both visiting and working. One red wine that all of our palates can agree upon is our Sierra Vista Cabernet Sauvignon. So, in honor of International Cabernet Sauvignon Day, we wanted to talk a little bit about what makes this wine so special.
It all starts with our vines, 50 years old and some of the first vines ever planted at Sierra Vista. These are hearty, gnarly vines that produce a lovely even spread of grapes. These vines are extremely happy where they are because the California sunshine and temperate weather allows them to ripen evenly and fully, producing a delicious jammy flavor and an excellent quality single varietal wine.
Cabernet Sauvignon has not always been called that. As recently as the 18th century this grape was called “Petite Virdure” this wine had been thought to be ancient and the wine of the romans. However, as wine research progressed, it began being called Cabernet Sauvignon due to having qualities of both Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc. In 1996 DNA typing showed that it was indeed a cross between those two varieties of grapes. Likely a chance encounter occurring in the 17th century.
Deep garnet in color, our 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon has classic aromas of cherry pie, raspberry, red currant, tomato leaf and pencil box as well as notes of gravel and tea leaf. Nice and dry on the palate with the red fruits shining through and well balanced, medium-plus acidity and tannins. With a medium-plus body and long finish, it is a lovely expression of the grape without being overwhelmed by oak influence.