Clos Du Bois Cabernet Sauvignon

Clos Du Bois Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied California Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma County's Alexander Valley, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Founded in 1974 by Frank Woods, the Clos du Bois brand built its reputation producing accessible, fruit-forward wines from one of Northern California's most respected Cabernet-growing regions, and this expression scored 87 points from Tastings.com on its 2018 vintage.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California  |  Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Winery: Clos du Bois (est. 1974)

Production & Heritage

Clos du Bois was established in 1974 by Frank Woods in Alexander Valley, a sub-appellation of Sonoma County long prized for its warm days and cool nights — conditions that allow Cabernet Sauvignon grapes to develop deep concentration while retaining balanced acidity. The wine undergoes up to four weeks of fermentation and maceration in contact with grape skins, an extended period designed to extract maximum color, tannin structure, and flavor depth. Aging takes place in 60-gallon oak barrels, which impart softness and a light vanillin character without overwhelming the fruit. The brand is now produced by E. & J. Gallo at their Frei Ranch and Asti facilities in Sonoma County, maintaining the wine's regional provenance.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with vibrant ripe blackberry and black currant, quickly followed by layers of cassis, baking spice, and toasted oak. A subtle vanillin sweetness rounds out the aromatic profile.

Taste: The entry is generous with concentrated dark berry fruit — blackberry and black currant dominate — supported by a velvety, full-bodied texture. At mid-palate, cedar and tobacco notes emerge alongside a peppery spice character, while the tannins remain notably soft and approachable rather than grippy.

Finish: The finish is moderately long with a slightly dry edge, carrying lingering black fruit and a faint oak-driven warmth. It closes clean, with residual notes of cedar and dark berry.

How to Drink Clos Du Bois Cabernet

This Cabernet drinks well at cellar temperature (60–65°F) and benefits from 15–20 minutes of breathing time in the glass to let the oak integration settle and the fruit fully open. Its smooth tannin profile and fruit-forward character also make it a reliable cocktail and sangria base. A Cabernet Sangria showcases the wine's deep berry core alongside fresh citrus and stone fruit. A New York Sour — whiskey sour floated with red wine — gains rich color and fruit complexity from this bottling. And a classic Kalimotxo (red wine and cola over ice) turns into a surprisingly layered refresher thanks to the wine's inherent sweetness and spice.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners with grilled steaks or burgers
• Introducing red wine beginners to Cabernet Sauvignon
• Bringing a reliable bottle to a casual dinner party
• Building a house-pour red wine rotation without breaking the budget

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Clos Du Bois Cabernet taste like? It delivers concentrated blackberry and black currant flavors with supporting notes of cedar, tobacco, and toasted oak, wrapped in a soft, velvety texture with low-grip tannins.

How does Clos Du Bois Cabernet compare to Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Cabernet? Both wines compete in the same approachable, fruit-driven California Cabernet category; Clos du Bois historically rivaled Kendall-Jackson in marketplace positioning. Clos du Bois tends to lean slightly more toward oak-influenced richness and softer tannins, while Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve generally emphasizes bright fruit acidity and broader North Coast sourcing.

Is Clos Du Bois Cabernet good for beginners? Yes — its soft tannins, forward fruit, and smooth texture make it one of the more welcoming introductions to Cabernet Sauvignon without sacrificing varietal character.

Where is Clos Du Bois Cabernet made? Clos du Bois sources fruit from Sonoma County's Alexander Valley in Northern California and the wine is currently produced at Gallo's Frei Ranch and Asti facilities within Sonoma County.

What foods pair well with Clos Du Bois Cabernet? Grilled ribeye steak benefits from the wine's dark fruit and soft tannins. Braised short ribs echo its cedar and tobacco undertones. Aged cheddar or Gouda mirror the oak-driven richness. Mushroom risotto complements its earthy mid-palate spice. Dark chocolate desserts align with the wine's ripe berry finish.

What sizes does Clos Du Bois Cabernet come in? The standard release is widely available in 750ml bottles, and larger 1.5L formats are also commonly found at retail.

Is Clos Du Bois Cabernet worth the price? Clos du Bois Cabernet Sauvignon positions as an entry-level to mid-range California Cabernet, delivering Alexander Valley fruit quality and oak-barrel aging at a price point well below most single-vineyard Sonoma bottlings — strong value for everyday drinking.

Why Clos Du Bois Cabernet?

What separates this wine from the crowded field of sub-$15 California Cabernets is its genuine Alexander Valley pedigree — a region with considerably more cachet than generic "California" appellations. The extended four-week maceration period extracts a level of color and flavor concentration uncommon at this price tier, and aging in 60-gallon oak barrels (smaller than many budget producers use) allows more wood-to-wine contact and finer integration. With 87 points from Tastings.com and consistent positive reception from Wine Enthusiast, it has earned a reputation as one of the more dependable value Cabernets from Sonoma County — a bottle that punches above its weight class without pretending to be something it's not.