Chloe Cabernet Sauvignon

Chloe Cabernet Sauvignon is a 750ml, 14% ABV Cabernet Sauvignon grown in San Lucas, Monterey County, California. A Gold Medal winner at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, this wine draws its concentrated fruit character from night-harvested grapes and 14 months of aging in French and American oak barrels.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14%  |  Origin: San Lucas, Monterey County, California  |  Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Producer: Chloe Wine Collection

Production & Heritage

The Chloe Wine Collection sources its Cabernet Sauvignon from the San Lucas appellation at the southern end of Monterey County, where shaly loam soils provide exceptional drainage and produce small, intensely concentrated berries. Grapes are picked at night while temperatures remain cool, preserving acidity and fresh fruit aromatics. After destemming—keeping berries whole—the juice undergoes a cold soak before fermentation, followed by full malolactic fermentation and 14 months of aging in a combination of French and American oak barrels, building structure and layered complexity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dense boysenberry jam leads the nose, followed by crushed stone, chiseled wood, and a thread of caramel. Beneath that initial wave sit quieter notes of tar, light leather, and a dusting of cocoa.

Taste: The entry is plush and fruit-forward, with ripe black cherry and dark plum filling the mid-palate. As it develops, layers of dark chocolate, roasted coffee, and cinnamon bark emerge, all supported by finely integrated tannins and a chalky, mineral-driven texture. The oak influence is present but measured, contributing vanilla and mocha undertones without overwhelming the fruit.

Finish: Medium-long and velvety, with lingering cassis and milk chocolate that slowly fade into a dry, earthy close. The tannin structure holds firm without astringency, leaving a clean and satisfying impression.

How to Drink Chloe Cabernet

This Cabernet rewards a few minutes of breathing time and drinks well at cellar temperature, around 60–65°F. A generous glass lets the boysenberry and chocolate aromatics open fully. For cocktails, try a Cabernet Reduction Sangria with seasonal stone fruit, where the wine's plum depth anchors the blend. A New York Sour—bourbon shaken with lemon juice and floated with this Cab—benefits from the wine's dark berry richness. A Kalimotxo (equal parts red wine and cola over ice) becomes unexpectedly nuanced here thanks to the wine's coffee and chocolate notes.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners when you want something reliably full-bodied without overthinking the pairing
• Introducing a new red wine drinker to California Cabernet Sauvignon
• Bringing a crowd-pleasing bottle to a dinner party or potluck
• Building out a casual cellar with approachable, well-made California reds

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Chloe Cabernet taste like? Chloe Cabernet Sauvignon delivers bold black cherry and ripe plum flavors layered with dark chocolate, roasted coffee, and cinnamon bark. The texture is velvety with chalky tannins and a mineral-driven backbone from the San Lucas terroir.

How does Chloe Cabernet compare to Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon? Both wines appeal to drinkers who favor rich, fruit-forward California Cabernet, but Caymus typically commands a significantly higher price point and sources from Napa Valley. Chloe offers a similar crowd-pleasing profile—dark fruit, chocolate, and oak—at a fraction of the cost, making it a strong value alternative from Monterey County.

Is Chloe Cabernet good for beginners? Yes—its approachable fruit sweetness, smooth tannins, and modest 14% ABV make it a welcoming entry point for anyone exploring Cabernet Sauvignon. The flavors are bold enough to be recognizable without being overly tannic or astringent.

Where is Chloe Cabernet made? Chloe Cabernet Sauvignon is produced by the Chloe Wine Collection from grapes grown in the San Lucas appellation of southern Monterey County, California. The region's shaly loam soils and cool nighttime temperatures contribute to the wine's concentrated fruit and balanced acidity.

What foods pair well with Chloe Cabernet? Grilled ribeye steak works naturally with the wine's tannin structure and dark fruit. Braised short ribs echo its chocolate and coffee depth. Aged cheddar or Gouda complement the oak-driven vanilla notes. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the mocha undertones, and mushroom risotto highlights the wine's earthy, mineral side.

What sizes does Chloe Cabernet come in? Chloe Cabernet Sauvignon is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Chloe Cabernet worth the price? Chloe Cabernet positions as a value-tier California Cabernet Sauvignon that consistently over-delivers for its price class. With Gold Medal recognition from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and a 90-point score from the Ultimate Wine Challenge, it punches above expectations for an everyday red.

Why Chloe Cabernet?

What separates this wine from the crowded field of sub-premium California Cabs is the specificity of its source: San Lucas sits at the warm southern end of Monterey County, where the shaly loam soils stress vines just enough to produce small, flavor-packed berries. Night harvesting—a step many wines at this price level skip—preserves the natural acidity that keeps all that dark fruit from tipping into jamminess. The 14-month oak program in both French and American barrels adds genuine complexity rather than cosmetic sweetness. Gold Medals at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and a 90-point score from the Ultimate Wine Challenge confirm what the glass already tells you: this is a seriously well-made Cabernet at an accessible price.