Livermore, California, United States
Founded in 1883, Wente Vineyards is the oldest continuously-operated, family-owned winery in the country; owned and managed by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family. Located just east of San Francisco in the historic Livermore Valley, Wente Vineyards is recognized as one of California's premier wine country destinations. The winery draws from nearly 3,000 acres of Estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay and Arroyo Seco, Monterey appellations to create an outstanding portfolio of fine wines.
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Wetmore Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
| SKU | 414680 |
| Country | United States |
| Region | Livermore Valley, CA |
| Type | Red |
| Varietal | Blend - Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Merlot |
| Listing | MBLL |
| Case Config. | 12x750ml |
| Available In | BC AB MB |
Colour
Dark garnet red.
Aroma
Deep, bold and concentrated with beautifully layered aromatics of rose pedals, raspberry and blackberry.
Flavour
Intense flavours of ripe plums, red and black fruit with a touch of spice and black tea. This full-bodied, supple wine has a long, lingering finish with robust tannins and elegantly balanced acidity.
Food Pairing
Pair with all types of red and robust meats.
More Info
The origins of Wente Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon date back to when Charles Wetmore first imported this clone of Cabernet to the Livermore Valley from the commune of Margaux, France. Named after one of the Livermore Valley's most prominent pioneers, California's first agricultural commissioner renowned for planting vine cuttings from many of Bordeaux's top Chateaux in the Livermore Valley in the 1880s. This wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks and pumped over twice daily. Aged for 20 months in 40% new French oak and 60% second and third use French oak barrels.
Tasting Panel Magazine, Jul/2023
2020 -
"This elegant wine overdelivers for the price. Within a graceful mouthfeel, grainy tannins surround dark chocolate and black plum. A satin wash of toasty vanilla smooths over boysenberry preserves."
James Suckling, May/2023
2020 -
"Ripe and mellow character here with notes of dark fruit, raspberry bush and sweet spices. Medium- to full-bodied with polished tannins and creamy texture. Velvety and chocolaty with a moderate finish. Drink or hold."
Decanter World Wine Awards 2023
2020 -
"Focused nose of smoky cassis and herbal touches with delicate oak. Harmonious, well managed tannins."
The Tasting Panel, Sep/2022
2019 -
“Plush and seamless, with mouthwateringly deep and concentrated notes of boysenberry and chocolate mint. Black cherry and sandalwood contribute additional nuance to deep flavours of coffee bean on the oh-so-balanced finish”
Natalie MacLean, Oct/2022
2019 -
"From Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay, Wente Wetmore Vineyard 2019 is a Cabernet Sauvignon-driven red produced from sustainably grown grapes. Dry, full-bodied and lush with ripe dark fruit, dark cherry, dark spices, savoury herb and coffee flavours vibrant and silky on the palate. The wine was aged 18 months in a combination of new, second- and third-use French oak barrels."
Decanter World Wine Awards 2022
2019 -
"Lots of ripe blackberries and black cherries on the nose. Lively fine-grained palate - juicy, crunchy and plush but retains freshness."
The Tasting Panel, Oct/2020
2018 -
"A statuesque beauty. Notes of violets and chocolate lick the palate. A round, velvety mouthfeel with sturdy, slightly dusty tannins. Elegant from start to finish, with earthy undertones and ripe blackberry. Acidity keeps it bright."
Wine Enthusiast, Dec/2020
2018 -
"Concentrated and deep, this velvet-textured wine soothes the palate and brings out rich black-cherry and black-currant flavors. Although well packed with fruit and subtle spices, it's not too heavy or tannic."
Natalie MacLean, Aug/2021
2018 -
"From Livermore Valley wine region, Wente Wetmore Vineyard 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is a Cabernet-driven, dry and full-bodied red blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petite Sirah, 8% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec produced from sustainably-farmed and estate grown grapes. Rich and concentrated on the palate with ripe blackberry, blueberry, black currant, vanilla, minty and savoury spices on the palate with well-integrated tannins. Grapes were fermented in stainless steel tanks, pumped over twice daily and aged 18 months in 40% new and 60% second and third use French oak barrels. Pour with pasta Bolognese. Drink or hold."
James Suckling, Oct/2021
2018 -
"A fragrant nose with aromas of black cherries, chocolate, forest floor and cedar. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and fresh acidity. Round and creamy with a juicy, caressing texture. Sustainable. Drink now."
The Tasting Panel, Nov/2019
2017 -
"As California’s first agricultural commissioner, Wetmore planted vine cuttings from many of Bordeaux’s wellknown châteaux in the Livermore Valley in the 1880s. Those vines continue to produce today in the valley’s gravelly loam soils on the Wente family’s CSWA-certified sustainable estate. This single-vineyard wine, named for the pioneer who brought a piece of Margaux to Livermore, is co-fermented with Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, and Malbec in stainless steel and aged for 18 months in 40% new and 60% second- and third-use French barrels. This is a stellar vintage, offering up an intense nose of cigar leaf and espresso-laden blackberry. While the 2016 (which received the same score) was fuller in body, the current release shows a graceful, silky entry, with dried violets and plum. It’s juicy to the core, with undertones of coffee bean, soy sauce, orange peel, and cedar that keep the palate entertained. 95 "
Wine Enthusiast, Jan/2020
2017 -
"This is an elegant, well-balanced and polished wine that has lots of fruit flavors accented by light black-olive and oak nuances. It's medium to full in body, fairly concentrated and just lightly tannic to firm up the texture."
San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2020
2017 -
Gold Medal
The Tasting Panel, Jul/2019
2016 -
"As California’s first agricultural commissioner, Wetmore planted vine cuttings from many of Bordeaux’s well-known châteaux in Livermore Valley in the 1880s. Those vines continue to produce today in the valley’s gravelly loam soils on the Wente family’s certified-sustainable estate. This single-vineyard wine, named for the pioneer who brought a piece of Margaux to Livermore, is co-fermented with Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, and Malbec in stainless steel and aged for 18 months in 40% new and 60% second- and third-use French barrels. The nose is greeted by big notes of dark chocolate and black fruit. Full-bodied, the fruit generously washes across the palate in waves of blackberry cream and violets. On the broad-shouldered palate with silky tannins, cassis and cocoa persist, and a fine acidity keeps it fresh-tasting."
Natalie MacLean, May/2019
2015 -
"Full-bodied, smooth and elegant with Old World restraint. Not fruit forward. More structure and earthy notes than big berry flavours. Decant 1 hour and enjoy with a rare steak."
Wine Enthusiast, Dec/2018
2015 -
“This wine has a big, spicy presence backed by a lush fruit flavor. Cedar, clove and cinnamon aromas fill the nose followed by ripe black-cherry, blackberry and dried plum flavors that are wrapped in a blanket of fine-grained tannins. The mouthfeel is generous but balanced by good acidity.”
Los Angeles International Wine Awards 2018
2015 -
Bronze Medal
Critics Challenge Wine Competition 2017
2014 -
Gold Medal
Wine Enthusiast, Dec/2017
2014 -
"This bold and full-bodied wine has vivid smoke and spice aromas, with rich blackberry and espresso flavors. A healthy wrapping of tannins add an appetizing bite and a lingering, lightly spicy finish. Overall, the tasty oak nuances are well blended with the ripe fruit."
Los Angeles International Wine Competition 2017
2014 -
Gold Medal
Gismondi on Wine, Nov/2018
2014 -
"Plush and mouth filling, with velvet tannins supporting the rich and sun-ripened black and red fruits. There's a savoury leathery note to this bold wine that provides cab's proper gravitas. Cassis, baked plums, dark chocolate, cedar on the intense palate, with toasty wood spicing. The wood is enveloped into the density of the fruit, making this ready for drinking now, with beef. This single vineyard cab (Charles Wetmore Vineyard) comes from Livermore Valley's clay hillsides and gravelled alluvial fans, between 460-735ft. This aged for 20 months in 40 percent new French oak. This is splashed with petit verdot, petite sirah, and malbec."
California State Fair, Jul/2016
2013 -
Gold Medal
The Tasting Panel, Feb/2016
2013 -
"Dark ruby color; lush, spicy and rich blackberry, plum and chocolate; smooth, dense and lush with depth and a long, intense finish."
Indy International Wine Competition 2016
2013 -
Double Gold Medal & Wine of the Year Award