Rex Goliath Cabernet Sauvignon

Rex Goliath Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied California Cabernet Sauvignon bottled at 13% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 90 points by James Suckling and backed by more than 65 gold medals across major competitions, this widely available red consistently punches above its price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13%  |  Origin: California, USA  |  Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Winery: HRM Rex-Goliath, Modesto, CA

Production & Heritage

HRM Rex-Goliath Winery takes its name from a legendary 47-pound rooster that was the star attraction of a traveling Texas circus — a bit of Americana bravado that suits the brand's go-big philosophy. Based in Modesto, California, the winery sources Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from across the state to produce a fruit-forward, approachable red. Winemaker Mark Ferguson, who joined the team in 2011, oversees blending and aging to achieve a consistent house style defined by ripe dark fruit, moderate oak influence, and soft tannins. Technical specs — 5.5 g/L total acidity, pH of 3.50, and 8.5 g/L residual sugar — point to a wine deliberately shaped for broad drinkability.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe blackberry and sweet plum dominate the nose immediately, followed by a dusting of pepper spice and subtle cedar. The bouquet is inviting and uncomplicated, leaning heavily on dark berry concentration.

Taste: The entry is juicy and fruit-driven, with blackberry and plum filling the front palate. At mid-palate, layers of currant and mocha emerge alongside hints of chocolate and cola, giving the wine more dimension than its category peers typically deliver. Tannins are firm but well-padded by the fruit, and the slight residual sweetness rounds out the structure without tipping into cloying territory.

Finish: The finish is persistent for a wine at this level, carrying dark fruit and a faint oak-spice echo. A touch of bittersweet chocolate lingers as the tannins gently dry the palate.

How to Drink Rex Goliath Cab

Pour it into a standard Bordeaux glass at cool room temperature — around 60–65°F — to let the fruit and spice open up without alcohol heat. This is an easy-drinking red that works just as well in casual cocktails and wine-based drinks.

• Classic Red Sangria: The bold blackberry and plum flavors stand up to citrus and brandy without getting lost.
• Kalimotxo: The fruit-forward sweetness balances cola in this Spanish two-ingredient staple, and Rex Goliath's existing chocolate-cola undertones make it a natural fit.
• Cabernet Reduction Sauce: Not a cocktail, but the wine's concentrated dark fruit and moderate tannins reduce into a rich pan sauce for steak or lamb chops.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners when you want a full-bodied red without overthinking it
• Backyard barbecues and casual gatherings with friends
• Introducing newer wine drinkers to Cabernet Sauvignon's core character
• Stocking a house red that performs reliably across multiple vintages

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Rex Goliath Cab taste like? It leads with juicy blackberry and sweet plum, develops into mocha and currant at mid-palate, and finishes with firm but approachable tannins and a hint of chocolate. The overall impression is bold, fruit-forward, and slightly off-dry.

How does Rex Goliath Cab compare to Barefoot Cabernet? In head-to-head tastings of supermarket Cabernet Sauvignons, Rex Goliath has edged out Barefoot Cabernet, with reviewers noting its slightly greater depth of fruit and more structured tannins. Both occupy the same value tier, but Rex Goliath tends to deliver a fuller mid-palate and longer finish.

Is Rex Goliath Cab good for beginners? Yes — the ripe fruit sweetness and soft tannin structure make it one of the more approachable Cabernet Sauvignons available, serving as a solid introduction to the varietal without the astringency or oak intensity that can challenge newer wine drinkers.

Where is Rex Goliath Cab made? It is produced by HRM Rex-Goliath Winery, headquartered in Modesto, California, using Cabernet Sauvignon grapes sourced from vineyards across the state.

What foods pair well with Rex Goliath Cab? Grilled burgers benefit from the wine's bold fruit matching charred meat; pepperoni or sausage pizza mirrors its spice and dark-fruit notes; braised short ribs complement the mocha and currant mid-palate; sharp cheddar contrasts the residual sweetness; and dark chocolate desserts echo the wine's chocolate-cola finish.

What sizes does Rex Goliath Cab come in? Rex Goliath Cabernet Sauvignon is commonly available in the standard 750ml bottle as well as a larger 1.5L magnum format.

Is Rex Goliath Cab worth the price? Rex Goliath positions squarely as a value-tier California Cabernet, and its 90-point James Suckling score and 65-plus gold medals suggest it over-delivers for the category. For an everyday red, the quality-to-cost ratio is difficult to beat.

Why Rex Goliath Cab?

A 90-point score from James Suckling is uncommon territory for a value California Cabernet, and the wine's haul of over 65 gold medals — including recognition at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, Los Angeles International Wine Competition, and Critics Challenge — confirms this isn't a one-off result. The combination of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon fruit, a deliberate winemaking approach under Mark Ferguson, and a flavor profile that balances dark berry richness with chocolate and spice complexity gives Rex Goliath a competitive edge in a crowded supermarket aisle. For drinkers who want genuine Cabernet character without a premium price tag, this is one of the most reliably over-performing bottles on the shelf.