Dona Paula Los Cardos Cabernet Sauvignon

Doña Paula Los Cardos Cabernet Sauvignon is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Mendoza, Argentina, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a 750ml format. Sourced from estate vineyards at 1,050 meters above sea level in Luján de Cuyo, this expression earned Silver medals at both the Sunset International Wine Competition and the Indy International Wine Competition.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina  |  Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Winery: Doña Paula (est. 1997)

Production & Heritage

Doña Paula was founded in 1997 in Mendoza and has quickly become one of Argentina's most recognized estate wineries. Los Cardos Cabernet Sauvignon is produced entirely from estate-grown fruit harvested at the El Alto Vineyard in Ugarteche, situated in the southern reaches of Luján de Cuyo at an elevation of 1,050 meters (3,445 feet). The high-altitude terroir contributes to wide diurnal temperature swings that help preserve natural acidity and develop concentrated fruit character. The vineyards are managed using sustainable agricultural practices, and all wines in the range are certified vegan friendly and gluten free.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with expressive cassis and black pepper, layered with graphite and a fairly pronounced tobacco character. Hints of mint weave through, adding an herbal freshness to the dark fruit core.

Taste: The entry is marked by ripe black fruits — blackcurrant and dark berry — that give way to cranberry and raspberry notes at the mid-palate. The tannins are kind and well-integrated, lending structure without aggression. A subtle spice thread ties the fruit and savory elements together.

Finish: Compact and long, with grippy tannins that emerge toward the close and anchor the fruit. Lingering notes of tobacco and black pepper persist after the final sip.

How to Drink Los Cardos Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine drinks well at cellar temperature (60–65°F), where the aromatic complexity and tannin structure are at their most expressive; a brief decant of 20–30 minutes can help soften younger vintages. It also performs reliably in wine-forward cocktails.

• Kalimotxo: The firm tannins and dark fruit hold up against cola's sweetness, creating a balanced, refreshing long drink.
• New York Sour: The cassis and berry character adds depth when floated atop a classic whiskey sour.
• Sangria: Black pepper and tobacco spice give sangria a more complex, savory backbone compared to lighter reds.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners with grilled red meats or pasta
• Introducing someone to high-altitude Argentine Cabernet Sauvignon
• Stocking a house wine that over-delivers for the price tier
• Building a mixed case of South American reds for casual entertaining

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Los Cardos Cabernet Sauvignon taste like? It leads with ripe cassis and black fruit, supported by black pepper, graphite, and tobacco, and finishes with firm but approachable tannins. The overall profile is concentrated, spice-driven, and medium to full in body.

How does Los Cardos Cabernet Sauvignon compare to Alamos Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Mendoza at a similar value tier, but Los Cardos sources exclusively from a single high-altitude estate vineyard at 1,050 meters in Luján de Cuyo, which tends to produce more pronounced spice and mineral character. Alamos, produced by Catena Zapata, draws from multiple Mendoza vineyard sites and generally presents a softer, more fruit-forward style.

Is Los Cardos Cabernet Sauvignon good for sipping neat? Yes — the balanced tannins and aromatic complexity make it enjoyable on its own, especially with a short decant to open up the tobacco and cassis notes.

Where is Los Cardos Cabernet Sauvignon made? It is produced by Doña Paula at their estate winery in Mendoza, Argentina, using fruit from the El Alto Vineyard in Ugarteche, located in the Luján de Cuyo sub-region at 1,050 meters elevation.

What foods pair well with Los Cardos Cabernet Sauvignon? Grilled Argentine-style steak (asado) mirrors the wine's smoky spice; aged cheddar or Manchego complement the firm tannins; lamb chops echo the herbal mint undertone; empanadas stuffed with seasoned beef pick up the pepper and tobacco notes; and dark chocolate desserts align with the cassis and berry finish.

What sizes does Los Cardos Cabernet Sauvignon come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Los Cardos Cabernet Sauvignon worth the price? Los Cardos positions as an entry-level expression within the Doña Paula portfolio, and its single-vineyard, high-altitude sourcing and estate-grown fruit deliver notable complexity for the value tier — consistently cited as over-performing relative to similarly priced Argentine Cabernet Sauvignons.

Why Los Cardos Cabernet Sauvignon?

What separates this wine from the crowded field of value-tier Argentine reds is its specific provenance: 100% estate-grown fruit from a single vineyard sitting at over 1,000 meters in Luján de Cuyo, one of Mendoza's most respected sub-regions. That altitude translates directly into the glass — sharper acidity, deeper color, and a spice profile (black pepper, graphite, tobacco) that many wines at this price point simply cannot match. Silver medals at the Sunset International and Indy International wine competitions reinforce its standing as a reliable, quality-driven bottling. For drinkers looking for an honest expression of high-altitude Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon without a premium price tag, Los Cardos consistently delivers.