No Fine Print Cabernet Sauvignon

No Fine Print Cabernet Sauvignon is a 750ml, 13.5% ABV California red wine blending Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot and Petite Sirah, sourced from Lodi's premier sub-appellations. The 2022 vintage earned 90 points from Vin Chicago, reinforcing its standing as one of Lodi's more compelling value-driven reds. A split aging regimen — two-thirds in stainless steel, one-third in new French oak — gives it a distinctive balance of fruit purity and structural depth that sets it apart from many California Cabs at this tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Lodi, California  |  Blend: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 10% Petite Sirah  |  Producer: No Fine Print Wine Co.

Production & Heritage

No Fine Print Wine Co. was co-founded by Pat Corcoran and Tim Smith — music industry managers known for guiding the careers of Chance the Rapper and Skrillex, respectively — who channeled their creative instincts into winemaking. The fruit is sourced entirely from Lodi, drawing on four distinct sub-appellations: Clements Hill, Alta Mesa, Sloughhouse, and Mokelumne River, with roughly 80% of vineyards certified sustainable. The production splits the wine between stainless steel tanks, which preserve bright fruit character, and new French oak barrels where the remaining third ages for nine months, picking up vanilla and toasted spice without overwhelming the fruit core.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Concentrated blackberry and currant lead, followed by baking spice, a thread of licorice, and subtle anise. A slight plummy warmth emerges as the wine opens, with hints of dried herbs hovering in the background.

Taste: The entry is juicy and fruit-forward — ripe plum and dark cherry — before the mid-palate fills out with currant, dried herb, and a gentle toasted oak presence. The Petite Sirah component adds density without heaviness, while the Merlot rounds out the texture into something plush and silky. A mocha spice note surfaces toward the peak, adding complexity.

Finish: Medium in length with a soft, warming fade. Lingering flavors of dark fruit and baking spice trail off cleanly, leaving a balanced impression without excessive tannin grip.

How to Drink No Fine Print Cab

This blend drinks well at a slight chill — around 60–65°F — and benefits from 15–20 minutes of air after opening. Neat in a standard Bordeaux glass lets the aromatics develop fully. For cocktails, the dark fruit profile and moderate tannins make it a strong choice for a Kalimotxo (the Cab's fruit intensity holds up against cola's sweetness), a New York Sour (the wine float adds color and berry depth to the whiskey base), or a classic Red Wine Sangria (the blackberry and spice notes integrate seamlessly with citrus and brandy).

Best For

• Weeknight dinners where you want something a step above basic table wine
• Introducing red wine newcomers to Cabernet-based blends
• Casual dinner parties with grilled meats and charcuterie
• Gifting a wine-curious friend who appreciates music and culture

Frequently Asked Questions

What does No Fine Print Cab taste like? It leads with ripe blackberry, plum, and currant, layered with toasted oak, baking spice, and dried herbs. The texture is plush and silky with moderate tannins and a clean, warming finish.

How does No Fine Print Cab compare to Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are approachable California Cabernets, but No Fine Print uses a three-grape blend (80% Cab, 10% Merlot, 10% Petite Sirah) rather than a single varietal focus, which gives it added body and textural complexity. Its split aging between steel and French oak also tends to preserve more primary fruit brightness than a fully oak-aged approach.

Is No Fine Print Cab good for sipping neat? Yes — the balanced tannins, moderate 13.5% ABV, and layered fruit make it approachable on its own without food. A few minutes of air after pouring helps the aromatics open up.

Where is No Fine Print Cab made? It is produced by No Fine Print Wine Co. using fruit sourced entirely from Lodi, California, spanning four sub-appellations: Clements Hill, Alta Mesa, Sloughhouse, and Mokelumne River.

What foods pair well with No Fine Print Cab? Grilled tri-tip steak complements the dark fruit and oak spice. Aged cheddar or Gouda echoes the wine's baking spice character. Lamb burgers with rosemary mirror its herbal undertones. Mushroom risotto pairs well with the plush mouthfeel, and dark chocolate with sea salt highlights the mocha spice on the finish.

What sizes does No Fine Print Cab come in? It is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is No Fine Print Cab worth the price? No Fine Print Cabernet Sauvignon positions as a value-tier California red that punches above its weight, reinforced by its 90-point Vin Chicago score. The multi-appellation sourcing, sustainable vineyard practices, and split-aging technique deliver more complexity than many wines at this level.

Why No Fine Print Cab?

The split aging approach — steel for freshness, French oak for structure — is the defining production choice here, and it pays off in a wine that avoids the one-dimensional jamminess common in budget California Cabs. Drawing fruit from four distinct Lodi sub-appellations adds layers of terroir variation that a single-vineyard sourcing at this price point rarely achieves. The 90-point score from Vin Chicago for the 2022 vintage confirms the blend's quality, and the sustainable farming commitment across 80% of vineyards adds substance behind the label. For drinkers looking for a California Cabernet blend with genuine complexity at an accessible price, this bottle delivers without hedging.