2019 Cornell Cabernet Sauvignon

A powerful, age-worthy Cabernet from mountain-grown grapes, reminiscent of Napa's bold offerings, best enjoyed after 5+ years of cellaring.

Producer

Cornell Vineyards

Region

Fountaingrove District, Sonoma County, CA

Country

USA

Varietal

Cabernet Sauvignon

Varietal Composition

94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec

Specifications

2019

Vintage

2038

Drink By

ABV

Vinification

Grapes were picked 29 separate times over 3 weeks before being fermented and aged in French oak (62% new) for 19 months

Occasional wine note

Wines from grapes grown on mountain sides are generally more sought after than those from grapes grown in lowlands or valleys, as these wines are usually more complex and age worthy. This is because the slopes force the grapes to struggle for water and nutrients making these grapes, again, more complex, sometime more austere, and mostly more age worthy. This offering checks these boxes. This is a more powerful Cabernet than most you'll find in Sonoma. We do love the normally softer, sometimes even more elegant versions of Cabernet you find in Sonoma versus those generally bigger, more powerful Cabs from neighboring Napa. This Cornell could easily be mistaken for a Napa offering. If you must drink now, let it open for a bit, but for best results let it sit in your cellar for 5+ years.

What experts say about this wine

100

Vinous

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is super-elegant and refined, but also somewhat closed following its bottling, which is not uncommon for mountain wines. That period of stubbornness seems to be part of the evolution here, as the wine tends to only blossom after a few years. Today, the 2019 is marked by its brilliant upper register, striking balance and vibrancy. It is another compelling wine from Cornell.

100

pairing recommendation