Nickel & Nickel Tench CC Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Nickel & Nickel C.C. Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is a 100% varietal, single-vineyard Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon bottled at 14.9% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 95 points and a Cellar Selection designation from Wine Enthusiast, this vintage showcases the weight and depth that the Rutherford bench is known for, drawn from just 15 select acres of the 115-acre C.C. Ranch property.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.9%  |  Origin: Rutherford, Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2019  |  Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Producer: Nickel & Nickel Winery

Production & Heritage

Nickel & Nickel operates under a singular philosophy: every bottling is 100% varietal and sourced from a single vineyard, designed to express the distinct personality of each site. The C.C. Ranch fruit was fermented in stainless steel tanks with regular pump-overs followed by an extended 16-day skin maceration to build structure and extract color. The wine then aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, with 48% new wood lending complementary spice and cedar without overwhelming the vineyard's character. Nickel & Nickel shares ownership with Far Niente, both part of the same family of Napa Valley estates.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe plum and boysenberry, layered with floral-herbal undertones and a subtle thread of blackcurrant. Behind the fruit sits a quietly integrated cedar and oak suggestion that adds complexity without dominating.

Taste: Entry is generous and broad, with ripe raspberry and plum arriving on a creamy, full-bodied palate. Mid-palate transitions into bright cherry and cassis accented by seductive spicy notes, while dusty crushed rock and dried herb provide a savory counterpoint. Soft tannins support the wine throughout, giving it immense weight and textural depth.

Finish: The finish is long and measured, with lingering cassis, dried herb, and a fine dusting of mineral. Tannins remain polished and integrated, trailing off with gentle warmth and a persistent echo of dark fruit.

How to Drink C.C. Ranch Cabernet 2019

This wine is best served at 60–65°F with 30–60 minutes of decanting to let the fruit and oak integration fully emerge. Drinking it from a large-bowled Bordeaux glass concentrates the aromatic layers and highlights the creamy palate weight. Given its structure and the Wine Enthusiast Cellar Selection designation, it also rewards cellaring through 2030 and beyond for those who prefer more evolved, tertiary character.

Best For

• Cellaring alongside other benchmark Rutherford Cabernets from a strong vintage
• Gifting a serious Napa Valley wine collector
• Pouring as the centerpiece red at a holiday dinner or special celebration
• Exploring single-vineyard Cabernet side by side with other Nickel & Nickel vineyard designates

Frequently Asked Questions

What does C.C. Ranch Cabernet 2019 taste like? It delivers a generous core of ripe plum, raspberry, and cassis framed by soft tannins, with secondary layers of dried herb, crushed rock, and cedar from 18 months in French oak.

How does C.C. Ranch Cabernet compare to Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon? Both wines come from the same ownership group and target a similar quality tier in Napa Valley. However, C.C. Ranch is a single-vineyard Rutherford expression focused on site-specific character, while Far Niente blends fruit from multiple Napa Valley vineyards for a broader appellation style.

Is C.C. Ranch Cabernet good for cellaring? Yes — the 2019 vintage received a Cellar Selection designation from Wine Enthusiast at 95 points, indicating the wine has the structure and balance to improve with extended bottle aging.

Where is C.C. Ranch Cabernet made? It is produced by Nickel & Nickel Winery from fruit grown on the C.C. Ranch vineyard in Rutherford, a celebrated sub-appellation within Napa Valley, California known for its dusty, mineral-laced Cabernet Sauvignons.

What foods pair well with C.C. Ranch Cabernet 2019? Grilled bone-in ribeye steak complements the wine's weight and soft tannins. Braised short ribs echo its dark fruit richness. Aged Gouda or Comté cheese mirror the creamy texture. Herb-crusted rack of lamb ties into the dried herb and spice notes. Dark chocolate with 70% cacao bridges the finish's lingering cassis.

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

Is C.C. Ranch Cabernet worth the price? C.C. Ranch positions as a premium single-vineyard Napa Cabernet, and the 95-point Wine Enthusiast score alongside a 93-point Wine Spectator rating places it firmly among the top-performing Rutherford bottlings of the 2019 vintage, supporting its premium tier pricing.

Why C.C. Ranch Cabernet 2019?

The 95-point Cellar Selection score from Wine Enthusiast signals that this is not simply a well-made Napa Cabernet — it is a wine built for the long haul from a top-rated vintage. Nickel & Nickel's decision to source from only 15 of the ranch's 115 acres reflects a level of selectivity that directly shows up in the glass as concentration and site-driven character. Rutherford's hallmark dusty minerality is clearly present here, amplified by the 2019 growing season's balance of warmth and hang time. For collectors and serious drinkers seeking a vineyard-specific snapshot of one of Napa Valley's most storied sub-appellations, this bottling delivers with uncommon precision.