Trentadue La Storia Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Trentadue La Storia Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 is a 750ml, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, bottled at approximately 14.5% ABV. This vintage earned 90 points on CellarTracker and draws from a property with some of the oldest continuously producing vines in Alexander Valley, with plantings dating back to 1886.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~14.5%  |  Origin: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California  |  Vintage: 2017  |  Producer: Trentadue Winery

Production & Heritage

Trentadue Winery has deep roots in Alexander Valley, with certain estate vines that trace back to 1886 — among the oldest in the appellation. These ancient, low-yielding vines contribute concentrated fruit with layered complexity that younger plantings rarely match. The La Storia Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and aged predominantly in French oak barrels, which lend structure and aromatic nuance without overwhelming the varietal character. The 2017 vintage benefited from a growing season that produced ripe, well-balanced fruit across much of Sonoma County.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dense ruby-purple in the glass, the nose opens with ripe blueberry, blackberry, and blackcurrant. Beneath the fruit, French oak contributes layers of vanilla, cocoa dust, light toast, and touches of cedar with fresh tobacco leaf.

Taste: The entry is fresh and juicy, delivering concentrated blackberry and blackcurrant flavors at the core. At mid-palate, the wine turns more restrained and minerally, with notions of cast iron and graphite adding savory depth. A subtle herbal thread and hint of ripe olive weave through the fruit, adding varietal authenticity rather than raw power.

Finish: The finish is long and fresh, framed by grainy, very soft tannins that belie the wine's relative youth. Lingering impressions of black licorice, graphite, and gentle oak toast carry the palate to a clean, balanced close.

How to Drink La Storia Cabernet 2017

This wine is best enjoyed at cellar temperature — around 60–65°F — with 20 to 30 minutes of decanting to open the aromatics fully. It drinks well on its own or alongside a meal. For cocktail-adjacent wine drinks, try it in a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola), where the wine's fruit density and soft tannins hold up without bitterness; a New York Sour, where its dark berry notes complement the whiskey base beautifully; or a classic Sangria, where the blackberry and vanilla profile provides a rich foundation that doesn't require excessive sweetening.

Best For

• Stocking an everyday-to-special-occasion California Cabernet in a home cellar
• Hosting a Sonoma County wine tasting alongside other Alexander Valley reds
• Pairing with a weekend steak dinner or hearty braise
• Gifting a red wine enthusiast who appreciates old-vine heritage

Frequently Asked Questions

What does La Storia Cabernet 2017 taste like? It leads with ripe blackberry, blueberry, and blackcurrant fruit, supported by French oak–derived vanilla and cocoa, then finishes with graphite, black licorice, and very soft tannins on a medium-bodied, mineral-driven frame.

How does La Storia Cabernet compare to Jordan Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley, but the La Storia tends toward a more minerally, medium-bodied profile with notably soft tannins, while Jordan is generally recognized for its polished, Bordeaux-inspired elegance and longer barrel aging. La Storia also draws from extremely old vines dating to 1886, giving it a distinct depth of fruit concentration.

Is La Storia Cabernet 2017 good for sipping neat? Yes — its balanced acidity, soft tannin structure, and fresh fruit make it approachable on its own, especially after a short decant to let the oak aromatics integrate.

Where is La Storia Cabernet made? It is produced by Trentadue Winery in Alexander Valley, a sub-appellation of Sonoma County in Northern California known for warm days, cool nights, and well-drained benchland soils that favor Cabernet Sauvignon.

What foods pair well with La Storia Cabernet 2017? Grilled ribeye steak benefits from the wine's graphite and dark fruit contrast. Braised short ribs match its soft tannins and vanilla oak. Aged cheddar or Gruyère complement the cocoa and toast notes. Lamb chops with rosemary echo the wine's herbal undercurrent. Dark chocolate desserts harmonize with the black licorice and berry finish.

What sizes does La Storia Cabernet come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is La Storia Cabernet 2017 worth the price? It positions as a mid-range Alexander Valley Cabernet, delivering old-vine complexity, French oak aging, and a 90-point CellarTracker rating at a price point well below many comparable single-vineyard Sonoma bottlings — strong value within its tier.

Why La Storia Cabernet 2017?

What separates this wine from the crowded field of California Cabernets is provenance. Access to vines dating back to 1886 gives Trentadue fruit that carries a concentration and minerality difficult to replicate from younger plantings. The 2017 vintage translated that old-vine material into a medium-bodied, restrained wine — not the overextracted, high-alcohol style that dominates the category — earning 90 points on CellarTracker in the process. French oak aging adds structural polish without masking the varietal identity, making this a Cabernet that prioritizes balance and terroir expression over sheer power.