Roth Estate Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

The Roth Estate 2021 is a single-vintage Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley — a warm, mountain-framed appellation whose low-vigor, volcanic soils give Cabernet real intensity and depth. At around twenty dollars, it punches well above its price for a California Cab with this much structure.

Pour it and you’ll meet dark-fruit aromas of black cherry and blueberry threaded with vanilla spice and a savory forest-floor note. The palate is full-bodied but sleek, layering blackberry, dark plum, and dark chocolate over black-tea and mocha tones, all carried on fine-grained, soft tannins that keep the finish smooth rather than grippy.

At 14.8% ABV it has the weight to stand up to a meal, so pour it alongside a grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, roast lamb, or a board of aged cheeses. Give it a short decant if you can — half an hour open lets the fruit stretch out.