Fortnight Cabernet Sauvignon

Fortnight Cabernet Sauvignon is a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon bottled at approximately 14.1% ABV in a standard 750ml bottle. This Gold medal winner at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (2018 vintage) delivers a layered, dark-fruit-driven profile anchored by cedar and baking spice — a serious Napa Cab at a competitive price point.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~14.1%  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Style: Cabernet Sauvignon Blend  |  Producer: Farm Collective

Production & Heritage

Produced by Farm Collective in Napa Valley, Fortnight draws its name from the critical 14-day harvest decision window — the narrow period each season when winemakers must identify the precise moment to pick the first cluster and set the trajectory for the entire vintage. The blend varies by year but centers on Cabernet Sauvignon as the dominant varietal, supported by smaller proportions of complementary grapes such as Malbec, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Petite Verdot, and Syrah depending on the vintage. The 2016 release, for example, comprised 89.25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.5% Petite Sirah, 3% Petite Verdot, and 1.25% Syrah — a structured, dark-fruited blend reflective of Napa's warmer vineyard sites.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with dense blackberry and cassis, followed by dark macerated cherry. Behind the fruit sits a framework of cedar, cigar box, licorice, and graphite that adds complexity and depth.

Taste: Entry is surprisingly soft, giving way to broad mid-palate density packed with ripe dark blue and blackberry fruit. Vanilla, cinnamon, and hints of allspice build through the middle, while light-to-moderate tannins keep the wine balanced rather than heavy. There is a natural, fruit-forward purity here — the oak influence supports rather than dominates.

Finish: Long and smooth, with lingering dark fruit and a trailing note of cedar spice. The tannins resolve gently, leaving a clean, satisfying close that invites another sip.

How to Drink Fortnight Cabernet

This wine is best enjoyed at cellar temperature (60–65°F), poured into a large-bowled glass that allows its aromatics to open up. A brief decant of 20–30 minutes can soften younger vintages and amplify the spice notes. For cocktail-adjacent serves, Fortnight Cabernet works well in a Kalimotxo (equal parts red wine and cola over ice — the wine's dark fruit stands up to the sweetness), a New York Sour (floated over a whiskey sour, the cassis and cherry notes create a striking layered finish), and a classic Sangria (its bold fruit and moderate tannins provide a strong backbone without turning bitter when mixed with citrus and brandy).

Best For

• Weeknight steak dinners where you want Napa quality without opening a reserve bottle
• Gifting a red wine lover who appreciates dark, fruit-forward California Cabernet
• Blind tasting nights comparing Napa Cab blends across price tiers
• Building a cellar of approachable, medal-winning Napa reds

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Fortnight Cabernet taste like? Fortnight Cabernet Sauvignon delivers concentrated blackberry, cassis, and dark cherry fruit supported by cedar, vanilla, and warm baking spice, with a soft entry, dense mid-palate, and a long, smooth finish.

How does Fortnight Cabernet compare to J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are accessible, fruit-driven California Cabernets, but Fortnight sources from Napa Valley while J. Lohr Seven Oaks draws from Paso Robles, resulting in a generally darker, more structured profile for Fortnight versus the riper, rounder character of Seven Oaks. Fortnight also incorporates varying blending partners like Petite Sirah and Petite Verdot, adding graphite and tannic complexity that Seven Oaks' straightforward Cabernet approach does not emphasize.

Is Fortnight Cabernet good for sipping neat? Yes — its soft entry, balanced tannins, and layered dark fruit make it very approachable on its own, particularly with a short decant to open up the cedar and spice aromatics.

Where is Fortnight Cabernet made? Fortnight Cabernet Sauvignon is produced by Farm Collective in Napa Valley, Napa County, located in California's North Coast — one of the most acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon growing regions in the world.

What foods pair well with Fortnight Cabernet? Grilled ribeye steak pairs naturally with the wine's tannic structure and dark fruit. Braised short ribs echo its deep, savory character. Aged cheddar or Gruyère complement the cedar and spice notes. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the cassis and blackberry tones. Herb-crusted lamb chops bridge the wine's fruit intensity with its subtle herbal undertones.

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

Is Fortnight Cabernet worth the price? Fortnight positions as a mid-range Napa Valley Cabernet, and its Gold medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition validates strong quality relative to its price tier — a competitive value for drinkers seeking genuine Napa character without stepping into reserve or single-vineyard pricing.

Why Fortnight Cabernet?

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon at this tier is a crowded field, and Fortnight earns its place through a combination of blend complexity and vintage-specific winemaking decisions rooted in that namesake 14-day harvest window. The Gold medal from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition confirms the wine performs above expectations for its category. Its shifting blend architecture — sometimes leaning on Petite Sirah and Petite Verdot for backbone, other times on Malbec and Merlot for roundness — means each vintage tells a slightly different story while maintaining a consistent signature of dark fruit density and cedar spice. For drinkers who want a genuine Napa Cab that rewards attention without demanding a special occasion, Fortnight is a reliable and well-made choice.