Gold
Medal
Core Collection | 2023 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml

Core Collection
2023 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

750ml
$18.00
/
Available for purchase in the U.S. only excluding AK, DE, HI, RI, UT.

- 94 pts & Gold Medal: North Coast Wine Challenge
- 70% OFF the source winery price

Our Core Collection Cabernet Sauvignon is a smooth and bold Alexander Valley Cab, sourced from one of the region’s most established names that’s famous for wines that possess both power and approachability. We loved this wine because while it’s already showing beautifully, it clearly has the bones for long term staying power to boot. Our source labels it Alexander Valley (and they added a touch of Sonoma Valley fruit for freshness), but like the other wines in this collection, we declassified it to Sonoma County to both protect their program and drive a more aggressive price for our Bottle Shop.

Pouring a deep ruby hue with an almost impenetrable core, the wine opens with an alluring nose of cherry and plum, followed by violets and black peppercorn accented by milk chocolate, cedar, and crushed gravel with a eucalyptus halo. The palate is immensely quaffable with red-to-black fruit, new soft leather, plum sauce, and graphite uplifted by structured acidity and plentiful medium-grained, uniform tannins. A long, dry finish resonates with cherries, warm barrel spice, and uplifted florals that unfurl beautifully over time.


14.3% alc

Overall rating: 4.3513513 / 5 from 37 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

This Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon from the Core Collection offers a smooth and bold profile, sourced from a renowned Alexander Valley producer. Hand-picked and aged in French oak barrels, it presents a deep ruby hue and a complex bouquet of cherry, plum, and violets. Priced at $18 per bottle, it's a remarkable value for a ready-to-drink wine of this quality.

Summary topics

  • Wine Quality: 40%
  • Cab Quality: 25%

Review topics: [quality, value, price, buy, aroma, favorite, body, wine, cab, choice, fruit].

Review highlights

  • "Great wine at a great price point" — Megan R.
  • "The Core collection never disappoints and this Cab is a winner!" — Steve
  • "Great price for a fabulous cab that is now our "house cabernet" for everyday." — SARAH C.

Reviews

First time purchasing a Core Collection!

"Our De Negoce wine choices have always led us down a different path but we decided to take advantage of a good sale and try the 2023 Core Collection Cabernet Sauvignon. Not sweet. Not sour. Just right with a smooth finish. We were impressed with this wine and will definitely buy it again."

— Gayle S. (5/5)

Sonoma Cab

"Love this wine- massive amounts of fruit. Well balanced, nice tannins. Drink now!"

— Fred M. (5/5)

Good but not great

"I personally enjoy other Cabs from this site than this one. This is on the bottom end of price and you can taste the difference. Still great value for the rate though."

— Charlie B. (3/5)

Goldilock's Cab

"Great PQR and no-brainer Cab. Not too heavy, not too light. Not too fruity, not too dry. Well balanced "just right" Cab."

— Jill A. (5/5)

Good Cab for the Price

"The Core Collection Cab is a very drinkable wine at its price point. Not overly complex, but has a nice aroma and pleasing notes of plum and coffee. Definitely worth buying as an everyday Cab."

— William C. (4/5)

Excellent Pinot

"It’s a little light in color but surprises with depth of flavor and juiciness. Wonderful with salmon and also veggie stir fry."

— Rudolfo E. (5/5)

Core collection wines are simply great

"I have bought 2 cases of core collections, simply because the quality is outstanding for the price. You don't always want to open a $80 bottle of wine when you're just having pizza or a hamburger, these wines never disappoint!"

— Lorraine E. (5/5)

Nice easy drinking cab

"A straightforward, well-made Sonoma Cabernet with real value. Dark berry fruit, a touch of cedar, and soft tannins make this an easy-drinking, weeknight Cabernet. The palate is smooth and approachable, with enough structure to keep it interesting without feeling heavy. A solid everyday Cab that overdelivers for the price."

— Bill (4/5)

jmf

"really enjoyed the bottle. easy to drink right away also great price"

— Jonathan F. (4/5)

Nice Fruit Forward Cab

"Typical California fruit forward, jammy, smooth, easy sipper or paired nicely with a chicken casserole. Very nice wine at this price."

— Steven T. (4/5)

Q&A