Showdown ‘Man with the Ax’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, California

The ‘Man with the Ax’ is the nickname for the King of Diamonds in Poker-parlance, and in California, Cabernet is undoubtedly ‘King’. Rich cassis fruit and a good lick of oak make this a plush, easy-drinking example of why it is so highly prized.

This Californian red wine has ripe blackcurrant and wild berry fruit on the nose complimented sweet vanilla oak. Rich cassis and black cherry fruit on the palate with a soft, juicy, yet long finish. All framed perfectly by the subtle American oak.

Partner with almost any red meat, served rare this is going to do the trick.

This wine is sourced from vineyards in the northern part of California’s Central Valley. The region around Lodi and Manteca enjoys significant influence from San Joaquin and Sacramento river deltas, which act as a natural cooling system to the often-searing heat. The effect is to provide freshness to the ripe, fruit charged Cabernet grapes.

Individual Cabernet blocks are vinified separately and then blended to produce a wine which reflects the right balance between fruit and structure. The wine then spends 6 months in oak to provide a broad frame for this rich wine.