Sbragia Cabernet Sauvignon

Sbragia Cabernet Sauvignon is a Sonoma County red wine from Sbragia Family Vineyards in Dry Creek Valley, bottled at 750ml with approximately 14.6–15.3% ABV depending on vintage. Winemaker Ed Sbragia is the only person to receive Wine Spectator's #1 Wine of the Year for both a red and a white wine, a distinction earned during his 32-year tenure as Winemaster at Beringer Vineyards — expertise he now channels into this family label. Select vineyard-designate bottlings have earned up to 94 points from Robert Parker.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~14.6–15.3%  |  Origin: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California  |  Aged 27 months in new French oak  |  Winery: Sbragia Family Vineyards

Production & Heritage

Sbragia Family Vineyards was founded by Ed Sbragia in Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, drawing on his decades of experience at Beringer where he shaped some of Napa Valley's most celebrated Cabernets. The Cabernet Sauvignon is typically composed of roughly 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, with fruit sourced from both Sonoma and select Napa Valley sites including Howell Mountain and Mt. Veeder. The wine sees 27 months of aging in new French oak barrels, a generous regimen that lends structure and complexity while preserving the concentrated fruit character of mountain-grown and valley-floor Cabernet.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with highly perfumed rose petal and black licorice before deepening into layers of crushed blueberry, graphite, and dark chocolate. Subtle herbal undertones and hints of cedar round out the bouquet.

Taste: On the palate, the wine enters rich and plush with saturated black cherry and cassis. The mid-palate builds with licorice, savory herbs, and mocha, supported by bright minerality that keeps the fruit from tipping into heaviness. Concentrated red currant and plum emerge toward the peak, framed by well-integrated French oak tannins.

Finish: The finish is long and layered, with lingering tar, anise, and vanilla trailing behind the fruit. A firm tannic grip provides structure that suggests strong aging potential.

How to Drink Sbragia Cabernet

This Cabernet is built for drinking neat in a large-bowled Bordeaux glass at cellar temperature, around 60–65°F, which allows the aromatic complexity to fully express itself. A brief decant of 30–60 minutes softens the tannins and opens up the secondary herbal and chocolate notes. For cocktail-curious drinkers, the wine's bold fruit and structure suit a Cabernet Sangria with blackberries and orange peel, a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) as an unconventional summer serve, or a red wine-based New York Sour floated atop bourbon and citrus for dramatic visual and flavor contrast.

Best For

• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates Sonoma County Cabernet with Napa-level pedigree
• Pairing with a grilled ribeye dinner or charcuterie board for a special evening
• Cellaring for 8–12 years to explore how the tannins and fruit evolve
• Hosting a comparative tasting of California mountain-fruit Cabernets

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Sbragia Cabernet taste like? Sbragia Cabernet Sauvignon delivers concentrated black cherry, cassis, and plum flavors layered with licorice, mocha, savory herbs, and graphite, all supported by firm French oak tannins and bright minerality.

How does Sbragia Cabernet compare to Alexander Valley Cabernet? Alexander Valley Cabernets tend toward a softer, more immediately approachable profile, while Sbragia's use of mountain-grown fruit from sites like Howell Mountain and Mt. Veeder produces a more concentrated, structured wine with greater aging potential. Both regions represent excellent Sonoma and North Coast alternatives to Napa Valley Cabernet at their respective price tiers.

Is Sbragia Cabernet good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the wine's layered aromatics, concentrated fruit, and extended 27-month oak aging make it a compelling standalone sipper, especially after a short decant to allow the complexity to unfold.

Where is Sbragia Cabernet made? Sbragia Family Vineyards is located in Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, though select Cabernet bottlings draw fruit from prestigious Napa Valley vineyard sites on Howell Mountain and Mt. Veeder.

What foods pair well with Sbragia Cabernet? Grilled lamb chops complement the wine's herbal and savory notes; aged Gouda or Manchego echoes its richness; braised short ribs mirror the deep fruit and oak; mushroom risotto highlights the earthy undertones; and dark chocolate desserts play off the mocha and anise in the finish.

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

Is Sbragia Cabernet worth the price? Sbragia positions as a premium Sonoma County Cabernet that punches well above its tier thanks to Ed Sbragia's elite winemaking background and access to top-quality mountain fruit — vineyard-designate bottlings scoring up to 94 points from Robert Parker reinforce its strong value within the California Cabernet landscape.

Why Sbragia Cabernet?

Few California Cabernets carry the personal stamp of a winemaker with Ed Sbragia's singular résumé — three decades shaping one of Napa's flagship programs, plus the only dual #1 Wine of the Year honors from Wine Spectator for both red and white wine. That experience translates directly into precise extraction, confident oak management, and a blending philosophy that integrates small percentages of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot for aromatic lift and structural polish. With vineyard-designate scores reaching 94 points from Robert Parker and consistent recognition from Wine Enthusiast and the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, this Dry Creek Valley Cabernet delivers mountain-fruit intensity at a fraction of what comparable Napa bottlings command.