Butter Cabernet Sauvignon

Description

Butter Cabernet Sauvignon is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from California bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Produced by Bread & Butter Wines out of Napa, this expression has earned recognition at the Sakura Awards (Gold, 2021 vintage) and stands out for its proprietary oak-aging regimen that coaxes generous vanilla and mocha character from the fruit.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5% | Origin: California, USA | Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon | Winery: Bread & Butter Wines, Napa

Production & Heritage

Bread & Butter Wines is based in Napa, California, though the fruit for the standard Butter Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from vineyards across the broader California appellation. The wine is fermented and then aged in what the winery describes as a “unique oak blend” a proprietary combination of barrel types designed to emphasize vanilla richness and a rounded mouthfeel without overwhelming the dark fruit core. This oak strategy is the defining production signature of the Butter lineup, bridging approachability with enough structural interest to hold attention glass after glass.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark berries and blackcurrant lead the nose, followed by waves of toasted oak, mocha, and a thread of baking spice. A subtle nutty quality emerges as the wine opens up in the glass.

Taste: The entry is soft and fruit-forward, with ripe blackberry and chocolate-covered plum filling the mid-palate. Midway through, vanilla and light black pepper assert themselves, supported by silky tannins that give the wine a smooth, medium-bodied feel without sharp edges.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering vanilla, toasted oak, and a final echo of dark fruit. The tannins recede gently, leaving a clean, slightly sweet impression that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Butter Cab

This Cabernet is approachable enough to enjoy at a light chill around 6065F without decanting, though 20 minutes of air can help the mocha and spice notes develop further. A classic red wine glass with a wide bowl will concentrate the aromatics.

• Cabernet Smash: The wine’s berry-forward profile and soft tannins pair naturally with muddled blackberries and a touch of lemon, making a fruit-driven warm-weather red wine cocktail.
• Sangria: Butter Cab’s vanilla and dark fruit sweetness translates well into a red sangria with sliced stone fruit, orange, and a splash of brandy.
• Kalimotxo: The smooth, low-tannin structure holds up alongside cola in this Spanish classic an unconventional but surprisingly complementary serve.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners paired with grilled steaks or pasta in red sauce
• Introducing Cabernet Sauvignon to someone new to bold reds
• Casual backyard gatherings where a crowd-pleasing red is needed
• Building a value-tier California wine collection

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Butter Cab taste like? Butter Cabernet Sauvignon delivers ripe dark fruit blackberry, blackcurrant, chocolate-covered plum layered with mocha, toasted oak, and vanilla. The tannins are silky and restrained, making the overall impression smooth and fruit-forward.

How does Butter Cab compare to Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are widely available California Cabernet Sauvignons positioned in a similar value tier, but Butter Cab leans more heavily into vanilla and mocha from its proprietary oak blend. Josh Cellars Cabernet tends to show slightly firmer tannins and more pronounced dark cherry alongside its oak influence.

Is Butter Cab good for beginners? Yes the soft tannins, generous fruit sweetness, and smooth vanilla finish make Butter Cabernet Sauvignon one of the more accessible California Cabs at its price point. It rewards straightforward enjoyment without requiring extended decanting or aging.

Where is Butter Cab made? Butter Cabernet Sauvignon is produced by Bread & Butter Wines, a winery headquartered in Napa, California. The fruit is sourced from vineyards across the broader California appellation rather than a single estate vineyard.

What foods pair well with Butter Cab? Grilled ribeye steak benefits from the wine’s vanilla-rich oak and medium tannins. Braised short ribs mirror the mocha depth. Dark chocolate desserts echo the cocoa undertones. Hard aged cheeses like Manchego or aged Gouda complement the wine’s fruit sweetness. Roasted portobello mushrooms work well for a vegetarian pairing, matching the wine’s earthy oak notes.

What sizes does Butter Cab come in? Butter Cabernet Sauvignon is most commonly available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Butter Cab worth the price? Butter Cabernet Sauvignon positions squarely as a value-tier California Cabernet, and its oak-driven complexity gives it a profile that punches above many wines at the same level. For drinkers who prioritize smoothness and vanilla-rich fruit over tannic structure, it represents solid everyday value.

Why Butter Cab?

The real differentiator here is Bread & Butter’s proprietary oak-aging blend, which gives this Cabernet a distinctly creamy, vanilla-laced character uncommon at its price tier. The Sakura Awards Gold medal for the 2021 vintage validates the winery’s approach to building a polished, accessible red. Where many entry-level California Cabs rely on residual sugar to simulate smoothness, Butter achieves it through oak selection and gentle tannin management. The result is a Cabernet that reads as generous and well-made rather than simple a reliable bottle that consistently delivers on its promise of dark fruit, mocha, and a long vanilla finish.