Bread & Butter Cabernet Sauvignon

Bread & Butter Cabernet Sauvignon is a 750ml, 13.5% ABV California Cabernet Sauvignon aged in a blend of French and American oak barrels. The wine has earned critical recognition across multiple vintages, including 97 points from The Tasting Panel (2023 vintage) and 94 points from Wine & Spirits (2018 vintage), establishing it as a consistent performer in the California Cabernet category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: California, USA  |  100% Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Producer: Bread & Butter Wines

Production & Heritage

Bread & Butter Wines operates under the direction of winemaker Linda Trotta, whose guiding philosophy — "A good wine is a wine you like" — shapes the entire lineup toward accessibility without sacrificing depth. The Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from California vineyards and aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels, a dual-oak approach that contributes both structure and aromatic complexity. This technique layers toasty vanilla and spice notes alongside the fruit character of the grape, giving the wine a richness that punches above its weight class.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Captivating mocha and ripe dark berries lead, followed by violets and blackcurrant. Deeper inhalation reveals toasted oak, subtle black pepper, and a thread of rich vanilla.

Taste: The entry is round and luscious, with ripe dark fruit dominating the front palate. At mid-palate, layers of dark chocolate and blackcurrant develop alongside well-integrated oak. The tannin structure is soft and approachable, providing framework without harshness.

Finish: Smooth and lingering, with soft tannins weaving into a velvety close. Residual notes of mocha and toasted oak carry through to the end.

How to Drink Bread & Butter Cabernet

This Cabernet drinks well at room temperature in a standard Bordeaux glass, where the dual-oak aging shines brightest. A few minutes of breathing after opening helps the mocha and berry notes fully expand.

• Classic Cabernet Smash: The wine's ripe berry profile and soft tannins translate well into a muddled blackberry cocktail with fresh mint.
• Red Wine Sangria: The natural dark fruit and vanilla notes provide a rich, layered base that reduces the need for excessive added sweetness.
• Kalimotxo: The approachable, fruit-forward character makes this an excellent candidate for the Spanish red wine and cola combination over ice.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners with grilled steak or braised short ribs
• Introducing someone new to California Cabernet Sauvignon
• Bringing a reliable bottle to a casual dinner party
• Building a home wine collection with crowd-pleasing selections

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bread & Butter Cabernet taste like? It delivers a rich combination of mocha, blackcurrant, and ripe dark berries with soft tannins and integrated oak. Dark chocolate and vanilla undertones round out a smooth, full-bodied profile.

How does Bread & Butter Cabernet compare to Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are popular California Cabernet Sauvignons positioned at a similar price tier and widely available. Bread & Butter tends to lean more heavily into mocha and dark chocolate richness from its dual French and American oak aging, while Josh Cellars generally presents a slightly more fruit-forward, straightforward profile.

Is Bread & Butter Cabernet good for beginners? Yes — the soft tannin structure and approachable fruit-forward character make it an excellent entry point into Cabernet Sauvignon. The winemaker intentionally designs the wine to be welcoming and unpretentious.

Where is Bread & Butter Cabernet made? Bread & Butter Wines is a California-based producer that sources Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from California vineyards. The wine is produced under the direction of winemaker Linda Trotta.

What foods pair well with Bread & Butter Cabernet? Grilled ribeye steak complements the wine's dark fruit and oak character. Braised lamb shanks mirror its richness and soft tannins. Aged cheddar or Gouda amplify the vanilla and toasty oak notes. Dark chocolate desserts echo the mocha undertones. Mushroom risotto pairs well with the wine's earthy depth.

What sizes does Bread & Butter Cabernet come in? The standard offering is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Bread & Butter Cabernet worth the price? Bread & Butter Cabernet positions as an entry-level to mid-range California Cabernet Sauvignon that consistently over-delivers relative to its price tier, particularly given its strong critical scores across multiple vintages including 94 points from Wine & Spirits and 97 points from The Tasting Panel.

Why Bread & Butter Cabernet?

The dual French and American oak aging regimen sets this wine apart from many competitors at its price point, layering a complexity of mocha, vanilla, and toasty spice over the ripe Cabernet fruit. Multiple vintages have earned 90-plus scores from respected publications — the 2023 vintage received 97 points from The Tasting Panel, and the 2018 earned 94 from Wine & Spirits — demonstrating vintage-over-vintage consistency that many California Cabernets in this range struggle to maintain. Winemaker Linda Trotta's intentionally approachable style strips away pretension without dumbing down the wine, resulting in a bottle that satisfies both casual drinkers and seasoned palates. For a California Cabernet that delivers oak-driven richness and reliable quality, this remains one of the stronger values in the category.