Michael David Freakshow Cabernet Sauvignon

Michael David Freakshow Cabernet Sauvignon is a bold, fruit-driven red wine from Lodi, California, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a 750ml bottle. The 2021 vintage earned 92 points from Wine Enthusiast with an "Excellent, Highly Recommended" designation, and multiple vintages have collected Gold medals at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Lodi, Central Valley, California  |  Red Blend (82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Petite Sirah, 2% Syrah)  |  Winery: Michael David Winery

Production & Heritage

Michael David Winery is a family-owned operation in Lodi, California, run by brothers Michael and David Phillips, whose family has farmed in the region for over five generations. The Freakshow Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from estate vineyards located just steps from the winery itself, underscoring a close-proximity, hands-on approach to viticulture. The blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Petite Sirah, and 2% Syrah is aged for 10 months in French oak — 97% French oak overall with 40% new barrels — giving the wine its signature layered richness without overwhelming the fruit character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Black cherry cola and boysenberry lead the nose, followed by warm layers of crème brûlée, baked fig, and candied spiced pecans. A subtle toasted hazelnut quality develops as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is generous with ripe blackberry preserves and fresh cherry pie flavors, settling into a mid-palate of plum, chocolate truffle, and butterscotch. Brown sugar and baking spices — allspice, clove, vanilla — emerge at the peak, supported by a medium body that carries more weight than its frame suggests, thanks to the Petite Sirah component.

Finish: The finish is moderately long with a spice-laced, oak-inspired fade and lingering notes of baked graham cracker crust. A gentle warmth and soft tannin structure carry the final impression cleanly.

How to Drink Freakshow Cabernet

This wine drinks well at cool room temperature, and a brief 15–20 minute decant helps open up the layered aromatics. It also holds its own in cocktail-style wine applications: a Cabernet Sangria benefits from the wine's jammy fruit and baking spice profile; a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) plays off the existing black cherry cola character in a surprisingly cohesive way; and a Mulled Wine during cooler months pairs naturally with the clove, allspice, and brown sugar notes already present.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners that call for a reliable, crowd-pleasing red
• Introducing bold California reds to friends exploring beyond basic Cabernet
• Backyard barbecues and grilled meat pairings
• Gifting wine drinkers who appreciate eye-catching labels and serious juice inside the bottle

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Freakshow Cabernet taste like? Freakshow Cabernet delivers ripe black cherry, blackberry preserves, and plum layered with chocolate truffle, butterscotch, and warm baking spices like clove and allspice. The medium body and oak-driven finish give it a rich but approachable profile.

How does Freakshow Cabernet compare to J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are popular, fruit-forward California Cabernets at a similar price tier, though Freakshow leans darker and richer due to its 16% Petite Sirah component and heavy French oak aging. J. Lohr Seven Oaks, from Paso Robles, tends to run slightly lighter in body with more red-fruit emphasis.

Is Freakshow Cabernet good for sipping on its own? Yes — the ripe fruit, balanced tannins, and moderate 14.5% ABV make it an easy wine to enjoy neat or with a slight chill, especially after a short decant to let the aromatics develop fully.

Where is Freakshow Cabernet made? Freakshow Cabernet Sauvignon is produced by Michael David Winery in Lodi, located in California's Central Valley, one of the state's most prolific and warm-climate winegrowing regions. The fruit is estate-grown in vineyards situated immediately adjacent to the winery.

What foods pair well with Freakshow Cabernet? Smoked brisket and barbecue ribs match the wine's dark fruit and spice intensity. Aged cheddar or Gouda complement the butterscotch and brown sugar notes. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the chocolate truffle character on the palate. Lamb chops with herb crust stand up well to the tannin structure, and wood-fired pizza with sausage and roasted peppers works as a casual pairing.

What sizes does Freakshow Cabernet come in? The standard bottling is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Freakshow Cabernet worth the price? Freakshow Cabernet positions as a mid-range value red, and its consistent critical recognition — including a 92-point rating from Wine Enthusiast — places it well above many wines at the same price tier in terms of complexity and quality.

Why Freakshow Cabernet?

What separates this wine from the crowded field of California Cabernets under twenty dollars is the Petite Sirah backbone — that 16% addition adds depth, color, and tannic grip that straight Cabernet from Lodi rarely achieves on its own. The decision to age almost entirely in French oak, with 40% new barrels, is more typical of wines priced significantly higher. Multiple vintages have scored 90 points or above from Wine Enthusiast and earned Gold medals at major competitions, establishing a track record of consistency that casual drinkers and serious collectors both notice. For a Lodi red blend, Freakshow punches well above its weight class.