Wente Cabernet Sauvignon Southern Hills

Description

Wente Cabernet Sauvignon Southern Hills is a Central Coast California red wine blending Cabernet Sauvignon with Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot at 13.5% ABV in a 750ml bottle. The 2021 vintage earned 90 points from Wine Enthusiast and a Gold Medal at the Los Angeles International Wine Competition, underscoring its consistent quality across recent releases.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5% | Origin: Central Coast & Livermore Valley, California | Style: Red Blend | Producer: Wente Vineyards

Production & Heritage

Wente Vineyards, one of California’s oldest continuously operated family wineries, farms approximately 400 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards using sustainable practices. The vines descend from two clones that trace back to Bordeaux cuttings brought to California by wine pioneer Charles Wetmore in the 19th century a rare genetic lineage that connects Southern Hills directly to pre-phylloxera French rootstock. The blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Petite Sirah, and 3% Petit Verdot is fermented in separate lots in upright stainless steel tanks, with pneumatage performed twice daily to maximize extraction of aromas and texture before final blending.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark cherry and ripe plum lead the nose, followed by aromatic cedar, cassis, and a thread of baking spice. Subtle lavender and fresh leather emerge with air, adding complexity beyond the primary fruit.

Taste: The palate opens with juicy cherry and dark plum, building through the mid-palate with hints of coffee and blackcurrant. Petite Sirah contributes density and color, while the small proportion of Petit Verdot adds a floral, spice-driven edge. Rich yet approachable tannins keep the wine balanced without heaviness.

Finish: Long and smooth, with feathery tannins framing lingering dark fruit and a faint chocolate undertone. The spice notes carry through to the very end, leaving a clean, dry impression.

How to Drink Southern Hills Cabernet

This wine shows well at a slight chill around 6265F and benefits from 15 to 20 minutes of air after opening to let the cedar and spice notes fully develop. It works equally well sipped on its own or paired with food. In cocktails and wine-based drinks, Southern Hills holds its own: try it in a Cabernet Cobbler, where the dark fruit intensity stands up to muddled blackberries and a touch of simple syrup; a classic Sangria, where the plum and spice profile adds depth beyond generic table reds; or a Kalimotxo, where the wine’s smooth tannins and rich fruit create a surprisingly refined version of the Basque staple.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners that call for a reliable, food-friendly red under moderate ABV
• Introducing someone to California Cabernet Sauvignon without overwhelming tannins
• A housewarming or hostess gift that over-delivers on quality
• Building a case of everyday reds anchored by a sustainably farmed producer

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Southern Hills Cabernet taste like? It leads with dark cherry and plum, backed by coffee, cedar, and baking spice, with smooth, approachable tannins and a long finish. The Petite Sirah component adds body and color, while Petit Verdot contributes a floral lift.

How does Southern Hills compare to Wente Wetmore Cabernet Sauvignon? Southern Hills is lighter and brighter, built around fresh, wild berry flavors and moderate tannins. The Wetmore bottling is darker, denser, and far more concentrated positioned as the superior single-vineyard cuve in the Wente Cabernet range.

Is Southern Hills good for beginners? Its moderate 13.5% ABV, soft tannins, and fruit-forward profile make it an accessible starting point for anyone exploring California Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine rewards straightforward enjoyment without requiring extensive decanting or cellar time.

Where is Southern Hills made? Southern Hills is produced by Wente Vineyards from fruit grown in the Livermore Valley and broader Central Coast region of California. Wente is one of the oldest continuously operated family wineries in the state.

What foods pair well with Southern Hills? Grilled lamb chops benefit from the wine’s cedar and spice notes; mushroom risotto mirrors its earthy undertones; aged cheddar complements the dark fruit; slow-braised short ribs match the smooth tannins; and dark chocolate desserts echo the cocoa hints on the finish.

What sizes does Southern Hills come in? The standard release is available in a 750ml bottle.

Is Southern Hills worth the price? Southern Hills positions as an everyday-drinking Cabernet that consistently punches above its price tier, earning 90-point scores from Wine Enthusiast and Gold Medals at the Los Angeles International Wine Competition across multiple vintages. For a sustainably farmed, multi-varietal blend with historic vine genetics, it sits at strong value within the Central Coast Cabernet category.

Why Southern Hills?

Few wines at this price point carry a direct genetic link to 19th-century Bordeaux cuttings the same clones Charles Wetmore imported to California and that still form the backbone of Wente’s 400 acres of Cabernet vineyards today. That heritage alone distinguishes Southern Hills from the crowded field of California Cabernet. Add consistent critical recognition 91 points from Decanter, 90 points from Wine Enthusiast, and Gold Medals at the Los Angeles International Wine Competition and the case for its quality becomes hard to argue. The pneumatage-driven extraction and careful blending with Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot result in a wine that balances approachability with genuine complexity, making it one of the more thoughtful everyday reds coming out of the Central Coast.