St Francis Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

St Francis Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied Sonoma County red wine bottled at 14.8% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Sourced from select vineyard sites across multiple Sonoma appellations, this Reserve bottling earned Gold at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and 91 points from Tasting Panel Magazine.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.8%  |  Origin: Sonoma County, California  |  Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Winery: St. Francis Winery & Vineyards

Production & Heritage

St. Francis Winery & Vineyards has been a fixture in Sonoma County for decades, building its reputation on site-specific winemaking with fruit drawn from estate vineyards in the Sonoma and Russian River Valleys, as well as sourced parcels in Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley. For the Reserve Cabernet, grapes are gently de-stemmed before a two-day cold soak to extract color and flavor prior to fermentation. Individual vineyard lots are fermented separately, then aged in French oak barrels — approximately 20% new — allowing each parcel's character to integrate gradually before final blending.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with concentrated dark cherry and crushed wild blackberry, followed by layers of cassis, cedar, and a thread of tobacco. Underneath, subtle milk chocolate and sage add savory depth.

Taste: The entry is rich and ripe, delivering black currant and blueberry across the front palate. At mid-palate, spicy oak and vanilla bean emerge alongside dark plum, while generous, structured tannins frame the wine and carry it through to a concentrated peak. The blend of roughly 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot adds a touch of mid-palate roundness.

Finish: The finish is long and layered, with lingering notes of toasted oak, tobacco, and black olive that slowly fade. Tannins remain firm but polished, leaving a dry, satisfying close.

How to Drink St Francis Reserve Cab

This Reserve drinks best at cellar temperature, around 60–65°F, served in a large-bowled glass that lets the aromatic layers unfold. Decanting for 30 to 45 minutes softens the tannins and opens the mid-palate. While built primarily for sipping alongside food, it also shines in a Cabernet Reduction Sangria built with seasonal stone fruit, where its dark berry core holds up against citrus and brandy. A classic Kalimotxo (equal parts red wine and cola over ice) provides a casual warm-weather serve that benefits from the wine's bold fruit. For a more refined cocktail, try it in a New York Sour — floated atop a whiskey sour, the Reserve's deep color and berry intensity create a dramatic visual and flavor contrast.

Best For

• Pairing with a grilled ribeye or braised short rib dinner
• Gifting a Sonoma County wine enthusiast exploring Reserve-tier bottlings
• Building a Cabernet vertical tasting alongside other Sonoma appellations
• Cellaring two to five years to watch tannin integration develop

Frequently Asked Questions

What does St Francis Reserve Cab taste like? It delivers bold dark cherry, blackberry, and black currant supported by spicy cedar, vanilla bean, and tobacco, all framed by firm, structured tannins. The overall impression is rich and full-bodied with a long, oak-accented finish.

How does St Francis Reserve Cab compare to Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon? Jordan Alexander Valley Cabernet tends toward a more restrained, Bordeaux-inspired style with softer tannins and moderate oak influence. The St Francis Reserve leans fuller-bodied with more pronounced new oak character and deeper fruit extraction from its multi-appellation Sonoma County sourcing.

Is St Francis Reserve Cab good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its layered aromatics and structured tannins reward patient, unadorned drinking, especially after a short decant. A splash of water or slight chill to around 62°F can also open up the mid-palate.

Where is St Francis Reserve Cab made? It is produced by St. Francis Winery & Vineyards in Sonoma County, California, using fruit from estate vineyards in the Sonoma and Russian River Valleys along with grower parcels in Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley.

What foods pair well with St Francis Reserve Cab? Grilled lamb chops work well, as the wine's tannins cut through the richness of the meat. Aged cheddar or Gruyère complements its oak-driven vanilla notes. Braised short ribs mirror the wine's dark fruit intensity. Mushroom risotto highlights its earthy, savory undertones. Dark chocolate with 70% cacao echoes the cassis and cocoa aromas on the nose.

What sizes does St Francis Reserve Cab come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is St Francis Reserve Cab worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium Sonoma County Cabernet that over-delivers relative to many Reserve-tier wines from the region, backed by consistent Gold medals at major competitions and a 91-point score from Tasting Panel Magazine.

Why St Francis Reserve Cab?

Multi-appellation sourcing across Sonoma Valley, Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley, and Alexander Valley gives the winemaking team a broad palette of fruit characteristics that few single-vineyard bottlings can match. The two-day cold soak and individual lot fermentation preserve site-specific nuance before French oak aging knits everything together. Recognition at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and Sunset International Wine Competition — both Gold — alongside 91 points from Tasting Panel Magazine confirms the Reserve's consistency across vintages. For drinkers who want Sonoma Cabernet with genuine depth and complexity without crossing into ultra-premium pricing, this remains one of the more reliable selections in its tier.