Tasting: Cabernet Sauvignons from Napa and Sonoma
🍇 Blind Wine Tasting Write-Up
Four California Cabernet Sauvignons: Napa & Sonoma
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most celebrated red wine varietals in the world — famous for its deep color, firm tannic structure, and flavors of black cherry, black currant (cassis), plum, cedar, and vanilla.
🌎 Regional Expressions
Napa Valley: Known for powerful, ripe Cabernets with plush dark fruit, velvety tannins, and rich chocolate or cocoa notes.
Sonoma County (Knights Valley): Often slightly cooler, producing Cabernets with more red-fruit purity, spice, balance, and freshness.
Compared to Old World regions (like Bordeaux): California Cabs are typically bolder, fruit-driven, and higher in alcohol, with softer tannins and more opulent flavors.
This blind tasting featured four Cabernets priced $14.99–$29.99, including a previous standout from Walmart $10 to $20, 8 wine facing off against Napa and Sonoma competitors.
🍷 Tasting Notes – In Revealed Order (A/1 → D/4)
🅰️ Wine 1 – Shattered Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
Region: Oakville AVA, Napa Valley
Vinted & bottled in: Geyserville, CA
Country: USA
Year: 2023
Price: $29.99 (on sale from $34.99)
Store: Wegmans
⭐ Scores
Lynn: 15 — Would buy again & bring to a party
Scott: 12 — Would NOT buy again
Total: 27 points → 3rd place
🍇 Tasting Notes
Pretty ruby color; clear with nice legs
Aromas of cherry, blackberry, licorice, and leather, with vibrant dark-fruit character
Palate: Good, but didn’t match the complexity promised by the nose
Not many distinct fruit notes on the palate
Finish was “okay,” with a burn Scott noted after it sat
Overall: Strong aromatics but fell short on flavor depth and finish
🅱️ Wine 2 – Francis Coppola Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Region: Bottled by Francis Ford Coppola Winery (Geyserville & Manteca, CA)
Country: USA
Year: 2022
Price: $14.99
Store: Wegmans
⭐ Scores
Lynn: 11 — Her lowest score of the night
Scott: 11 — Would buy again
Total: 22 points → 4th place
🍇 Tasting Notes
Lighter color than Wine 1
Mild aroma, less fruit intensity; joking comparisons to cotton candy and kumquat
Flavor: Simple, “like an average table wine,” lacking complexity
Aftertaste not especially pleasant
Both tasters agreed: clearly the weakest of this lineup — but considering price, still a reliable everyday value Cabernet
🅾️ Wine 3 – Black Stallion Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Region: Napa Valley
Country: USA
Year: 2022
Price: $24.99
Store: Wegmans
⭐ Scores
Lynn: 14 — Would buy again & bring to a party
Scott: 15 — Would buy again & bring to a party
Total: 29 points → 2nd place
🍇 Tasting Notes
Extremely dark color
Aromas of blackberry, cherry, and oak, with a slightly “murky” richness
Palate: Smooth, dry, balanced, and structured
Tannins and fruit well-integrated
Scott considered it the most balanced wine from nose to finish
Excellent throughout; very close to winning
🔷 Wine 4 – Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Region: Knights Valley, Sonoma County
Country: USA
Year: 2022
Price: $25.99
Store: Wegmans
⭐ Scores
Lynn: 15 — Would buy again & bring to a party
Scott: 15 — Would buy again & bring to a party
Total: 30 points → 🏆 1st place – Winner
🍇 Tasting Notes
Ruby-dark color
Nose: Raspberry and ripe blackberry; simpler aromatically than expected
Palate: Explosive flavor, full-mouth engagement, layered and rich
Excellent balance and depth, strong finish
Lynn preferred it over Wine 1 in a head-to-head
Scott praised how the flavor dramatically overshot the aroma
🏆 Winning Wine: Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
⭐ Why This Wine Won
Most expressive and complex flavor profile
Deep, layered palate that “hit every part of the mouth”
Better balance of fruit, tannin, and finish than the others
Flavor exceeded expectations after a moderate nose
Ranked highest by both Lynn and Scott
A clear standout among the four wines
Total Score: 30 points
Runner-Up: Black Stallion 2022 (29 points)
Strong Value Performer: Shattered 2023 (27 points)
Budget Value: Coppola 2022 (22 points)
