Mettler Cabernet Sauvignon

Mettler Cabernet Sauvignon is a 750ml, 14.5% ABV red wine from organically farmed vineyards in Lodi, California, produced by Mettler Family Vineyards. The 2021 vintage earned 94 points from Wine Enthusiast, cementing this Cab's reputation as one of Lodi's most compelling values in the varietal.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Lodi, California  |  100% Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Winery: Mettler Family Vineyards

Production & Heritage

Mettler Family Vineyards is a multi-generational farming family rooted in Lodi's Mokelumne River sub-appellation. While most Lodi growers historically focused on Zinfandel, Larry Mettler planted French clone Cabernet Sauvignon — a forward-thinking decision informed by years of collaborative research projects with UC Davis on multiple Cabernet clones. The vineyards are organically and sustainably farmed, and the resulting wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, reflecting the family's confidence in what the Lodi climate can achieve with this Bordeaux varietal.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Deep garnet in the glass, the wine opens with inviting aromas of dark cherry, blackberry, and nutmeg. Behind the fruit, secondary notes of cedar, violet, cracked white pepper, and a thread of earth emerge as it breathes.

Taste: The entry is generous with black plum and bramble-edged black cherry, moving into a mid-palate layered with molasses, mocha, and vanilla spice. Balanced acidity and moderate tannins keep the ripe fruit structured rather than heavy, while dried tobacco leaf adds savory complexity at the peak.

Finish: Medium-long, with lingering sweet oak, licorice, and a dusting of cinnamon that slowly fades into soft cedar. The tannins resolve smoothly, leaving a clean, fruit-tinged close.

How to Drink Mettler Cabernet

Pour it into a large-bowled glass and let it breathe for 20–30 minutes; the aromatics open considerably with air. Neat at cellar temperature (around 60–65°F) is the most rewarding approach for appreciating its layered fruit and spice.

• Classic Cabernet Smash: The ripe dark fruit and moderate tannins stand up well to muddled blackberries and lemon.
• Red Wine Sangria: Its plum and cherry core pairs naturally with sliced stone fruit and a splash of brandy.
• Kalimotxo: A surprisingly fun pairing — the wine's fruit-forward richness and balanced acidity complement cola's sweetness without losing character.

Best For

• Weeknight steaks off the grill when you want quality without overthinking
• Gifting a wine lover who appreciates organic, sustainably farmed producers
• Building a Lodi-focused cellar or tasting flight alongside Zinfandel
• Dinner parties where bold California reds anchor the table

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Mettler Cabernet taste like? Mettler Cabernet delivers rich black cherry and plum fruit with accents of mocha, vanilla spice, and cedar, supported by moderate tannins and juicy acidity that keep it balanced.

How does Mettler Cabernet compare to Michael David Rapture Cabernet? Both are benchmark Lodi Cabernet Sauvignons from the Mokelumne River AVA, but Mettler leans more toward structured dark fruit with oak spice, while Rapture tends toward a slightly riper, more extracted style. Mettler's organic farming and UC Davis clone research also give it a distinct viticultural identity.

Is Mettler Cabernet good for sipping neat? Yes — its balance of ripe fruit, moderate tannins, and layered spice make it an excellent standalone sipper, especially with 20–30 minutes of air.

Where is Mettler Cabernet made? It is produced by Mettler Family Vineyards in the Mokelumne River sub-appellation of Lodi, located in California's Central Valley. The family farms their own organically certified estate vineyards in the region.

What foods pair well with Mettler Cabernet? Grilled tri-tip benefits from the wine's dark fruit and tannin; aged cheddar mirrors its vanilla and cedar oak notes; braised short ribs echo its molasses and tobacco depth; dark chocolate desserts complement the mocha finish; and herb-crusted lamb chops match the wine's savory spice.

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

Is Mettler Cabernet worth the price? Mettler Cabernet positions comfortably in the mid-value tier for California Cabernet Sauvignon, delivering 90+ point critical recognition at a fraction of Napa Valley pricing — making it one of Lodi's strongest quality-to-cost propositions in the varietal.

Why Mettler Cabernet?

This is not another generic California Cab riding regional momentum. The Mettler family invested years in Cabernet clone research alongside UC Davis before most Lodi growers took the varietal seriously, and that head start shows in the wine's consistency and depth. Organic farming across their estate vineyards translates into fruit purity that avoids the over-extracted character common in warm-climate Cabernet. With a 94-point score from Wine Enthusiast for the 2021 vintage and a Platinum Medal at the 2020 Monterey International Wine Competition, Mettler Cabernet has earned critical validation that backs up what's in the glass.