St Francis Cabernet Sauvignon

St. Francis Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon (750ML)

St. Francis Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic, deeply satisfying, and crowd-pleasing expression of California winemaking. Produced by the historic St. Francis Winery & Vineyards—a staple of the Sonoma County wine landscape since 1971—this red wine is explicitly engineered to be bold yet approachable. It systematically avoids the harsh, mouth-drying tannic grip that can plague high-end mountain Cabs, opting instead for a lush, velvety frame.

The liquid foundation relies on a thoughtful blending process across Sonoma County's diverse microclimates. The grapes are sourced from selected vineyards spanning Sonoma Valley, Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley, and Alexander Valley. After gentle destemming, the fruit undergoes a two-day cold soak to lock in deep color extraction. The separate lots are fermented individually and aged for 18 months in French oak barrels (20% brand-new wood), resulting in a rich, full-bodied 14.8% ABV profile that has earned continuous critical acclaim, including consistent 89 to 91+ Point Ratings from community and professional panels.

Technical Wine Specs

• Size: 750ML Standard Premium Claret Format

• ABV: 14.8%

• Wine Classification: Sonoma County AVA, California, USA

• The Varietal Architecture: Typically a dominant Cabernet Sauvignon core blended with small percentages of Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot.

• The Wood Treatment: Matured for 18 months in French oak barrels (20% new wood blocks).

• Value Bracket: Elite every-day value segment (~$16.99 to $23.99)

Tasting Notes: Flavor and Aroma Profile

The gentle extraction and extended barrel resting grant the liquid a deep, rich ruby-red clarity in the glass with thick, slow-running legs.

• Aroma (Nose): Forward, complex, and highly inviting. The bouquet opens with a dominant wave of ripe black currants, dark plums, and crushed wild blackberries, beautifully supported by secondary layers of allspice, milk chocolate, vanilla pod, and tobacco leaf.

• Palate (Taste): Full-bodied, velvety, and texturally smooth. The entry coats the tongue with an immediate arrival of juicy black cherries and blackberry jam. Across the mid-palate, its balanced acidity shines—unrolling layers of cigar box cedar, subtle savory black olive, sage brush, and smooth, sweet tannins that keep the bold fruit structure tasting round.

• Finish: Moderate-to-long, exceptionally clean, and warm. The rich dark fruits recede gracefully, closing with a trailing signature of toasted vanilla oak, a touch of black pepper, and a lingering, velvety warmth.

Connoisseur Service Rituals

• The Aeration Window: While this Sonoma Cab is engineered with soft, sweet tannins that make it accessible straight from the bottle, it performs beautifully with a little bit of oxygen. Let the wine rest inside a clean decanter or open bottle for 45 to 60 minutes before serving to allow the baking spices, chocolate, and dark currant layers to fully bloom.

• The Cool Cellar Temperature: Avoid serving this rich red at a hot room temperature, which can amplify the higher alcohol percentage and mask the delicate herbal top notes. Aim for a perfect cool cellar target of 62°F to 65°F (16°C to 18°C) by placing the bottle into your refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes before pulling the cork.

• The Stemware: Serve exclusively inside a large, wide-bowled Cabernet or Bordeaux glass to optimize oxygen surface contact.

Gourmet Culinary Pairings

St. Francis Cabernet’s magnificent alignment of rich berry sugars, savory tobacco nuances, and smooth, integrated tannins allows it to perform as a spectacular companion for flame-grilled proteins, hearty comfort foods, and sharp artisan cheeses.

• Flame-Charred Prime Proteins: An absolute textbook home run next to a grilled New York strip steak with garlic herb butter, a wood-fired cheeseburger, or an Easter prime rib roast. The wine's rich body and tannins cut through meat fats seamlessly.

• Rich Savory Comforts: Pair a glass next to a dish of slow-cooked beef pot roast, lamb sliders, or wild mushroom risotto, which beautifully mirrors the wine's built-in sage and cedar tones.

• Aged Hard Artisan Cheeses: It behaves beautifully next to a casual grazing board highlighting extra-aged sharp white Cheddar, smoked Gouda, or a wedge of Gorgonzola accompanied by dark chocolate squares, where the food salts draw out the wine's sweet vanilla and plum finish.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does St. Francis Cabernet Sauvignon taste like?

It delivers an incredibly smooth, full-bodied, and fruit-forward tasting experience. The front of the palate features a lush explosion of black cherry, dark plum, and wild blackberries, which transitions cleanly across the mid-palate into complex, savory layers of milk chocolate, vanilla oak, allspice, and tobacco before finishing with supple, velvety tannins.

Is St. Francis Cabernet Sauvignon sweet or dry?

It is a completely bone-dry red wine. While the intense California sunshine ensures the grapes achieve optimal sugar accumulation and phenolic ripeness—giving you a lush, juicy, and sweet-perceived sensation of dark berries and vanilla up front—all natural grape sugars are fully fermented into alcohol. The liquid closes on a highly savory, clean, and balanced finish.

How should I store the bottle after it is opened?

Once the cork is pulled, oxygen will slowly open up the wine but will eventually begin to flatten its delicate vanilla, chocolate, and berry aromatics. To properly preserve its vibrant profile, push the cork back down firmly (or use a vacuum wine stopper) and store the opened bottle inside your refrigerator. The cold temperature drastically slows down the oxidation process, keeping this powerful Sonoma Cabernet tasting structurally sound and fresh for 3 to 5 days. Just remember to take it out of the fridge 20 minutes before serving so it can return to its ideal cellar temperature.