Region and Vineyards
The 2019 Cannonball Cabernet Sauvignon is a product of carefully curated vineyard sites across California’s most celebrated regions. The fruit is sourced from a combination of Sonoma County, Mendocino, Lake County, and stretches southward through San Benito, Monterey, and the Central Coast. Each site contributes a unique facet to the final blend—Sonoma offering structure, Monterey delivering acidity and freshness, and Lake County enhancing aromatic intensity.
This geographical diversity allows the winemaking team to layer complexity and enhance depth, creating a wine that is far more than the sum of its parts. Grapes from coastal vineyards add lift and elegance, while inland parcels bring warmth, concentration, and ripeness. The staggered harvest windows across these AVAs offer the winemaker precision and control over ripeness and phenolic development.
Winemaking
Vinification begins with traditional fermentation methods, including twice-daily pump-overs, promoting extraction of color, flavor, and supple tannins. The multiple regions mature at different rates, allowing a parcel-by-parcel approach to fermentation and aging. Each lot is handled individually to maximize its potential before integration into the final blend.
The wine undergoes aging in French oak barrels beginning shortly after fermentation. Over the 18 months post-harvest, the components are blended in multiple stages, encouraging integration and harmony. This careful layering of lots and oak contributes to a polished, seamless palate with textural richness and aromatic lift.
Tasting Notes
- Color: Deep ruby with a vibrant edge.
- Aroma: Aromatic notes of dark cherry, caramel, and mocha, subtly wrapped in toffee oak.
- Palate: Opens with generous plum, cherry, boysenberry, and red currant. The mid-palate is silky with soft tannins, revealing a dense core of fruit. Hints of coffee, toffee, and light toast from oak aging round out the lingering finish.
Did you know?
Cannonball’s philosophy is rooted in the idea of making approachable, food-friendly wines that don’t compromise on quality or expression. The brand name itself—playful and unpretentious—reflects their mission to celebrate the joy and exuberance of California winemaking with a nod to classic Old World structure.
Wine Pairing Ideas
- Grilled lamb burgers with rosemary aioli: Complementing the wine’s herbal undertones and juicy red fruit.
- BBQ beef brisket: The smoky-sweet glaze enhances the mocha and toasty oak notes.
- Mushroom risotto with parmesan: Earthiness and umami bring out the wine’s savory depth.
- Sharp cheddar or aged gouda: Perfect with the Cabernet’s firm structure and berry intensity.
