St. Francis Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

The St. Francis Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is a textbook example of why this winery is a Sonoma stalwart — a generous, full-bodied California Cabernet that drinks well above its price. At 14.5% ABV, it pours deep and dark, with aromas of black fruit, earth, spice, and a signature note of sandalwood.

On the palate it’s deep and complex: blackcurrant and ripe plum lead, woven through with tobacco and spice, all framed by generous, structured tannins that give the wine its backbone. It’s a Cabernet-driven blend — 86% Cabernet Sauvignon with 7% Merlot, 4% Malbec, and 3% Petit Verdot — drawn from estate vineyards and top growers across Sonoma County, including the Russian River, Dry Creek, and Alexander Valleys.

The fruit is fermented in separate lots, then aged 18 months in French oak (20% new) before the final blend is assembled. That patient barrel time is what lends the wine its depth, polish, and lingering finish.

This is a red built for the table. Pour it alongside a grilled ribeye, a slow-braised beef stew, or a Sunday roast — the wine’s bold dark fruit and firm tannins are made for rich, savoury food. Drinking beautifully now, it also has the structure to hold for a few more years in the cellar.