St Francis Cabernet Sauvignon

St. Francis Cabernet Sauvignon is a Sonoma County red wine blending four Bordeaux varietals, bottled at 14.8% ABV in a standard 750ml format. A gold medal winner at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (2020 vintage), this bottling draws fruit from four distinct appellations across Sonoma County, resulting in a layered, site-driven Cabernet that consistently punches above its weight class.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.8%  |  Origin: Sonoma County, California  |  Style: Multi-Appellation Bordeaux Blend  |  Winery: St. Francis Winery & Vineyards

Production & Heritage

St. Francis Winery & Vineyards has been a fixture of Sonoma County winemaking for decades, with vineyards spanning mountain, hillside, and valley floor sites throughout the region. The Cabernet Sauvignon is built on an 86% Cabernet Sauvignon base, rounded out with 7% Merlot, 4% Malbec, and 3% Petit Verdot — a classic Bordeaux-inspired architecture that adds mid-palate flesh and aromatic complexity. After a slow fermentation, the wine ages for eighteen months in French oak barrels, only 20% of which are new. That restrained new-oak ratio is a deliberate choice, allowing the fruit and terroir character to lead while the barrel program contributes structure, spice, and polish without dominating the blend.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark plum and crushed wild blackberries open the nose, followed by layers of oak smoke, coffee, and a hint of dried sage. With time in the glass, subtle violet and cocoa powder notes emerge.

Taste: The entry is generous with ripe cassis and dark cherry fruit, giving way to a mid-palate of mocha, boysenberry, and black olive. Savory elements — Italian herbs, allspice, black pepper — weave through a medium-to-full body supported by firm but approachable tannins and fresh acidity. The fruit-to-savory balance keeps each sip interesting.

Finish: Moderately long, with cedar, espresso, and lingering black pepper that fade slowly. The tannin grain is fine enough to feel polished rather than gripping, leaving a clean, dry impression.

How to Drink St. Francis Cabernet

This wine shows well at cellar temperature (60–65°F) with 20–30 minutes of breathing time, either decanted or simply opened ahead of pouring. It drinks comfortably on its own but truly comes alive alongside food. For cocktail-adjacent wine-based drinks: a bold Kalimotxo works surprisingly well thanks to the wine's tannic backbone; a Red Wine Spritzer with sparkling water and a citrus twist lightens the body for warm-weather sipping; and a classic Sangria benefits from the dark fruit depth and spice this Cabernet brings to the punch bowl.

Best For

• Weeknight steak dinners where you want quality without opening a reserve bottle
• Introducing a Bordeaux-blend skeptic to Sonoma County Cabernet
• Bringing a dependable red to a dinner party or potluck
• Building a casual cellar with wines that reward one to three years of short-term aging

Frequently Asked Questions

What does St. Francis Cabernet taste like? It leads with generous dark fruit — blackberry, cassis, dark cherry — and layers in savory notes of black olive, sage, mocha, and black pepper. The tannins are firm but refined, and the finish carries cedar and espresso.

How does St. Francis Cabernet compare to Bonanza Cabernet Sauvignon? Bonanza, from Lot by Charles Wagner, sources primarily from Napa Valley and tends toward a riper, more fruit-forward profile at a similar price tier. St. Francis draws from multiple Sonoma County appellations and leans slightly more savory and herbal, with a greater emphasis on balanced oak integration through its 18-month French oak program.

Is St. Francis Cabernet good for sipping neat? Yes — the wine's combination of ripe fruit, balanced tannins, and fresh acidity makes it an enjoyable glass on its own, especially after brief decanting to let the aromas fully open.

Where is St. Francis Cabernet made? It is produced by St. Francis Winery & Vineyards in Sonoma County, California, using fruit sourced from four different appellations within the county, including mountain, hillside, and valley floor vineyard sites.

What foods pair well with St. Francis Cabernet? Grilled ribeye steak matches the wine's tannic structure and smoky undertones. Braised short ribs echo the dark fruit and herbal notes. Aged cheddar or Gruyère complement the mocha and cedar character. Lamb chops with rosemary mirror the wine's savory, herbal side. Dark chocolate desserts (70% cacao or higher) extend the cocoa and espresso flavors on the finish.

What sizes does St. Francis Cabernet come in? The standard release is available in the 750ml bottle format.

Is St. Francis Cabernet worth the price? It positions as a strong mid-tier Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon, competing directly with wines priced well above it in terms of blend complexity and oak treatment. The gold medals at both the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and the Sunset International Wine Competition reinforce that it delivers reliable quality at its price point.

Why St. Francis Cabernet?

The defining edge here is the multi-appellation sourcing strategy — pulling Cabernet Sauvignon from four distinct growing areas across Sonoma County gives the winemaking team a broad palette of fruit expressions to blend from, combining mountain intensity with valley floor generosity. The disciplined 20% new French oak regimen keeps the barrel influence in a supporting role rather than masking the fruit, a detail that separates this wine from many competitors at its tier. Gold medals at two major competitions confirm that the quality is not just anecdotal. For drinkers who want a well-built, food-friendly Sonoma Cabernet without venturing into reserve or single-vineyard pricing, this bottling consistently delivers.