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Dashe Cellars is a renowned name in California, founded in 1996 by husband-and-wife team Michael and Anne Dashe. While they built their reputation as Zinfandel specialists, this Cabernet Sauvignon proves they are masters of multiple varietals, blending classic French restraint with opulent California fruit. Anne is a Bordeaux-trained winemaker (Château Lafite-Rothschild, Château La Dominique) and Michael refined his craft under Paul Draper at Ridge Vineyards' Lytton Springs—a combined legacy that results in wines of depth, balance, and complexity.
This Cabernet is sourced exclusively from the Heart Arrow Ranch, a certified Biodynamic and organic farm spanning over 1,000 acres in the emerging Eagle Peak AVA of Mendocino County. This region is truly one to watch, characterized by its steep, rugged terrain, high elevations (vines are between 800 and 3,200 feet), and well-drained mountain soils of Franciscan Complex sandstone and shale. These stressful, rocky conditions force the vines to struggle, naturally limiting yields and producing tiny, intensely flavored grapes that lend a structured, almost Bordeaux-like quality to the finished wine.
The 2019 vintage was hand-sorted and fermented using only native yeasts—a signature of Dashe's commitment to minimalist winemaking. After a long fermentation designed to maximize color and tannin structure, the wine was aged for 20 months in French oak barrels (30% new, the rest neutral) to gain flavor and firm structure without overwhelming the fruit. This focus on purity and minimal intervention yields a complex, layered wine with just 331 cases produced.
The resulting wine is full-bodied and powerful, yet elegant. It presents a beautiful structure of dark fruit, earth, and complexity, with a long, supple finish that promises years of enjoyment. Pairing Recommendation: This is a quintessential steakhouse wine. Pair with grilled Ribeye or slow-roasted lamb shank with a rich herb crust. Its underlying herbal and tobacco notes would also match beautifully with roasted eggplant or a rich, dark chocolate tart. | |
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