Leese Fitch Cabernet Sauvignon

Leese Fitch Cabernet Sauvignon is a multi-vineyard California Cabernet blend bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2019 vintage earned a Gold Medal and 90 points at the 2022 Sunset International Wine Competition, reinforcing its reputation as one of the stronger values in everyday California red wine.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: California, USA  |  Style: Multi-Vineyard Cabernet Blend  |  Producer: 3 Badge Enology

Production & Heritage

Produced by 3 Badge Enology, this wine draws its name from the historic Leese-Fitch adobe, built in 1836 on the Sonoma plaza by Jacob Leese and Henry Fitch — brothers-in-law to General Mariano Vallejo, founder of the town of Sonoma. The blend pulls fruit from multiple acclaimed California growing regions, including Clarksburg's Wilson Vineyard, Paso Robles' Balakian Vineyard, and Lodi's Valera and Cacciatore Vineyards. The base is approximately 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, rounded out with 12% Merlot, 6% Petite Sirah, and 4% Syrah — a structure designed to deliver depth without heaviness. Notably, each bottle is sealed with a ZORK closure, a recyclable peel-and-reseal stopper that eliminates the need for a corkscrew.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The glass opens with ripe blackberry and black cherry, followed quickly by toasted baking spice and dried tobacco leaf. Underneath, subtle violet and earthy undertones add dimension as the wine breathes.

Taste: The entry is juicy and fruit-forward, with dark blackberry and boysenberry leading the charge. At mid-palate, allspice, sweet oak, and a dusting of dried herbs emerge, while the Petite Sirah and Syrah components contribute weight and a faint smoky quality. Plum and prune notes round out the peak, keeping the wine full without turning jammy.

Finish: Medium in length and dry, the finish trails off with lingering blackberry, dark chocolate, and a whisper of caramel-tinged oak. Soft tannins leave a clean, warm close that invites another sip.

How to Drink Leese Fitch Cabernet

This Cabernet is approachable enough to pour straight from the bottle at room temperature, though ten minutes of open-air breathing will soften the tannins and let the spice notes bloom. The ZORK closure makes opening and resealing effortless, ideal for weeknight pours.

In cocktails, the fruit intensity and moderate tannin structure make it a reliable wine-based mixer. A Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) benefits from the dark-fruit richness. A New York Sour — traditionally finished with a red wine float — gains depth from the blackberry and spice. A Red Wine Sangria loaded with sliced stone fruit and citrus lets the boysenberry and plum character shine through.

Best For

• Everyday dinner table red for casual weeknight meals
• House wine at backyard barbecues and casual gatherings
• Introducing newer wine drinkers to California Cabernet
• Building a versatile by-the-case value selection

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Leese Fitch Cabernet taste like? It leads with juicy blackberry and boysenberry fruit, supported by allspice, toasted oak, and tobacco, finishing dry with dark chocolate and soft tannins. The overall profile is bold and fruit-driven but balanced enough to avoid being overly jammy.

How does Leese Fitch Cabernet compare to Bogle Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are multi-region California Cabernets positioned in the value tier, but Leese Fitch tends to show more dark-fruit intensity and spice complexity thanks to its Petite Sirah and Syrah blending components. Bogle's Cabernet typically leans toward a slightly more structured, oak-driven profile with firmer tannins.

Is Leese Fitch Cabernet good for beginners? Yes — its approachable fruit-forward style and moderate 13.5% ABV make it an excellent starting point for anyone exploring California Cabernet Sauvignon without a steep price commitment.

Where is Leese Fitch Cabernet made? It is produced by 3 Badge Enology using fruit sourced from vineyards across several California appellations, including Clarksburg, Paso Robles, and Lodi. The brand takes its name from the 1836 Leese-Fitch adobe in Sonoma.

What foods pair well with Leese Fitch Cabernet? Grilled tri-tip steak complements the dark-fruit and smoky notes. Slow-braised short ribs echo the wine's allspice and dried-herb character. Aged cheddar or Gouda plays off the oak and chocolate undertones. Mushroom risotto mirrors the earthy finish, and a dark-chocolate brownie makes a straightforward dessert pairing.

What sizes does Leese Fitch Cabernet come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle sealed with a recyclable ZORK peel-and-reseal closure.

Is Leese Fitch Cabernet worth the price? Positioned firmly in the everyday-value tier of California Cabernet, it consistently over-delivers for its price bracket — the 90-point Gold Medal from the 2022 Sunset International Wine Competition reflects strong performance against wines that often cost significantly more.

Why Leese Fitch Cabernet?

Multi-vineyard sourcing from Clarksburg, Paso Robles, and Lodi gives this wine a blending palette most single-region value Cabernets simply cannot match. The inclusion of Petite Sirah and Syrah adds body and aromatic complexity beyond what a straightforward varietal bottling typically achieves at this price point. A Gold Medal and 90 points at the Sunset International Wine Competition validate the quality in competitive blind-tasting conditions. For anyone seeking a reliably bold, food-friendly California red that doesn't require deliberation or a corkscrew, Leese Fitch Cabernet Sauvignon is a smart, repeatable choice.