Roth Cabernet Sauvignon (750Ml)

Roth Estate is a family-owned winery that has made Bordeaux-style reds in Alexander Valley since 2001. This Cabernet Sauvignon comes from hillside sites with low-vigor volcanic soils. Warm days and cool nights let the grapes ripen slowly. The blend is mostly Cabernet, with small parts of Merlot, Petit Verdot and other Bordeaux grapes. The exact mix shifts a little from year to year.

Swirl a glass and you will find black cherry, plum and cassis on the nose. A little pepper and spice sit underneath the fruit. On the palate the wine feels rich and round. Dark berries meet cocoa, vanilla and warm baking spice. Recent vintages also show mocha, toasty notes and a touch of tobacco.

The tannins stay smooth and velvety, and they linger on a long finish. Time in oak adds shape without hiding the fruit. Critics have liked recent vintages too. Wine & Spirits gave the 2019 a score of 92 points, and James Suckling rated the 2022 at 91.

You can open a bottle tonight or rest it for a few years. Serve it a bit below room temperature, around 60 to 65°F. That keeps the fruit lively and the alcohol in check.

Bring it to dinner with grilled steak, burgers, lamb chops or BBQ ribs. Aged cheddar and dark chocolate are good partners as well. If you enjoy a full-bodied California red with plenty of fruit, this bottle earns a spot in your rack.