Benziger Family Winery

Cabernet Sauvignon

8.7654 ratings
8.633 pro ratings
Sonoma County, California, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon
Potato, Sweet Potato, Yuca, Taro, Quinoa, Farro, Brown Rice, White Rice, Pasta, Exotic Spices, Beans & Peas, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Hard Cheese, Soft Cheese, Turkey, Pork, Herbs, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Nuts & Seeds, Tomato-Based, Pungent Cheese, Duck, Salami & Prosciutto, Baking Spices, Squash & Root Vegetables, Chicken, Quinoa, Sweet Potato, Shellfish
Top Notes For
Tom Elliot

Founder Northwest Wines

9.0

At 35 years I would have thought there’d be more developed tertiary aromas and flavors along with a fully integrated structure. There are indeed some nice gravelly, graphite notes with black olive and black fruits but it’s still rather straightforward, and the structural tannins are still in force. A quite good wine in the end still and well worth the modest investment. Not every well-aged wine can be great.

At 35 years I would have thought there’d be more developed tertiary aromas and flavors along with a fully integrated structure. There are indeed some nice gravelly, graphite notes with black olive and black fruits but it’s still rather straightforward, and the structural tannins are still in force. A quite good wine in the end still and well worth the modest investment. Not every well-aged wine can be great.

Dec 25th, 2021
Sipping Fine Wine

Deep Ruby with dark berry fruit aromas and some oaky notes. On the palate ripe blackberry with cherry flavors, oak, pepper and some hints of vanilla spice. Nice mouthfeel, good balance, fine tannins, medium finish ending with soft oak. Tasting Sample.

Deep Ruby with dark berry fruit aromas and some oaky notes. On the palate ripe blackberry with cherry flavors, oak, pepper and some hints of vanilla spice. Nice mouthfeel, good balance, fine tannins, medium finish ending with soft oak. Tasting Sample.

Nov 27th, 2019
J Gwen Berry

Wine Writer Palm Beach Post

8.2

Good old standby

Good old standby

2 people found it helpfulNov 21st, 2012
Anne Ricci

Dry rich big tannins. Slightly anise. Organically grown. Ge $19. 99.

Dry rich big tannins. Slightly anise. Organically grown. Ge $19. 99.

1 person found it helpfulSep 16th, 2017
Geoff Troup

Sales Eder Brothers, Cellar Fine Wines

7.9

I still attest it's the only let down in the whole line, but it's not as bad as I remember. A little overpriced. Reminiscent of Primus Cab a d general Chilean terroir. Light red fruit, some moderate acidity, tannin, general softness uncommon in cab. Vegetal flavor profile. Still unimpressed but love the other wines.

I still attest it's the only let down in the whole line, but it's not as bad as I remember. A little overpriced. Reminiscent of Primus Cab a d general Chilean terroir. Light red fruit, some moderate acidity, tannin, general softness uncommon in cab. Vegetal flavor profile. Still unimpressed but love the other wines.

1 person found it helpfulMar 11th, 2017
Sarah Stierch

Food & Wine Editor Sonoma Valley Sun

8.0

Funky nose, overripe blackberry, dewberry, huckleberry - you get the picture. Fruit forward taste with nose evolving into pomegranate, cinnamon and raspberry pie.

Funky nose, overripe blackberry, dewberry, huckleberry - you get the picture. Fruit forward taste with nose evolving into pomegranate, cinnamon and raspberry pie.

1 person found it helpfulMay 14th, 2016
John Kim

John had this 10 years ago

John had this 10 years ago

1 person found it helpfulJan 18th, 2014
Sipping Fine Wine

Benziger Family Winery was founded in 1980 on the slopes of Sonoma Mountain. Before the sale, the core of Benziger Winery are eight, same generation family members managing every aspect of grape growing and winemaking. Deep red color with aromas of dark red fruit and pepper spice. On the palate blackberry and cherry flavors with dried herb and spice. Dusty tannins carry to the medium finish ending with cacao and vanilla oak characteristics. Tasting Sample.

Benziger Family Winery was founded in 1980 on the slopes of Sonoma Mountain. Before the sale, the core of Benziger Winery are eight, same generation family members managing every aspect of grape growing and winemaking. Deep red color with aromas of dark red fruit and pepper spice. On the palate blackberry and cherry flavors with dried herb and spice. Dusty tannins carry to the medium finish ending with cacao and vanilla oak characteristics. Tasting Sample.

Oct 22nd, 2016
Weijie Shi (Jay)

Typical Cali cab but has its elegant side. 2010 vintage

Typical Cali cab but has its elegant side. 2010 vintage

May 30th, 2016
"Odedi"

Dark Ruby in color with a purplish rim.

On the nose, vanilla, raisins, cherries, oak, earth, licorice, mint, dark chocolate, spices and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with nice legs and medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with cola, vanilla, chocolates, oak, pencil led, blackberries, currants, cherries, licorice and peppercorn.

Long finish with firm tannins and pepper.

This is a great Cabernet Sauvignon. Enjoyable by itself or with grilled steak. Drinking nicely now and Good in the next 2 years. Balanced with a nice mouthfeel.

Had it blind, at first, and called a Sonoma Cabernet, so it is very typical.

14% alcohol by volume.

Dark Ruby in color with a purplish rim.

On the nose, vanilla, raisins, cherries, oak, earth, licorice, mint, dark chocolate, spices and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with nice legs and medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with cola, vanilla, chocolates, oak, pencil led, blackberries, currants, cherries, licorice and peppercorn.

Long finish with firm tannins and pepper.

This is a great Cabernet Sauvignon. Enjoyable by itself or with grilled steak. Drinking nicely now and Good in the next 2 years. Balanced with a nice mouthfeel.

Had it blind, at first, and called a Sonoma Cabernet, so it is very typical.

14% alcohol by volume.

Apr 30th, 2016