Wente Vineyards Southern Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Wente Vineyards Southern Hills Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast, California, USA, 2021

Grapes: A blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Petit Verdot and 3% Petite Sirah, sustainable farming, aged for 12 months in French/American/neutral oak barrels along with stainless steel tanks to enhance fruit vibrancy

Producer Tasting Note:

The fruit for this impressive Cabernet comes from the valley floor and southern hills of Livermore Valley with its gravelly alluvial fans. The soils on the estate and climate help to give Wente a Cabernet Sauvignon that is rich in flavour with an appealing structure. Aromatics of dried cranberry, bay leaf and crushed black pepper, with notes of black soil and cassis. Grilled plum and cedar are complimented by rounded tannins on the finish. The wine is well-balanced and polished, making it approachable for immediate enjoyment, yet its depth and structure suggest it will age gracefully over the next three to five years.

The "Southern Hills" Cabernet Sauvignon is named for Wente's vineyards located along the southern hills of the Central Coast. The Wente family farms approximately 400 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards using the two clones originating from California wine pioneer Charles Wetmore’s Bordeaux cuttings in the 19th century. With well-drained rocky soils and unique microclimates, the Southern Hills vineyards are in the most desirable settings, with exposures ideal for growing Cabernet Sauvignon of distinct character, depth, and intensity.

Critics' tasting Notes:

"Wente Vineyards is a Californian winery located in Livermore, about twenty kilometers east of San Francisco Bay. Founded in 1883, it is one of the oldest family-owned wineries in the United States. Today, Karl D. Wente, representing the fifth generation of the family, is the winemaker and continues the family winemaking tradition. He produces several wines, including this particularly expressive medium-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep red in color, the wine exudes aromas of black currant, black cherries, plums, and mocha, joined by notes of spice, cedar, and vanilla. The palate is full-bodied, with a velvety texture, supple tannins, and flavors that linger through to a relatively long and silky finish". Drink 2023-2026

87/100 points, BACCHUS MAGAZINE (Canada) 

"The Southern Hills Cabernet is grown along the southern hills of the Central Coast, where the Wente family farms approximately 400 acres of cab vines that originated from Bordeaux cuttings, and planted by California wine pioneer Charles Wetmore in the 19th century. Look for an aromatic cedar, cassis nose, with supple red fruit jam and spice. A button down cooler version of cabernet sauvignon that will have its audience with food and wine lovers. Beef tacos, burgers, or grilled sausages are in play here."

88/100 points, Anthony Gismondi, Gismondi on Wine, January 2025

Founded in 1883, Wente Vineyards is the oldest continuously operated, family-owned winery in America. Today the estate is comprised of vineyards in the Livermore Valley, San Francisco and Arroyo Seco appellations and is operated by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family.

Food Match: Serve at 17°C with grilled New York steaks, thick winter stews, cheeseburgers and red-sauced pasta dishes like lasagnaq