Skip to content
Checkout
Certified California Sustainable Vineyard & Winery
  • Wines
    • Shop All Wines
    • Our Wine Collections
      • Shop by Collection
        • Artisan Collection
        • Icon Collection
        • Reserve Collection
        • Classic Collection
    • Shop by Varietal
      • Zinfandel
      • Cabernet Sauvignon
      • Merlot
      • Pinot Noir
      • Other Reds
      • Port
        • The Ruby Allocation
      • White Wines
    • 90+ Point Wines
    • Large Formats
    • Wine Club Exclusives
    • Tasting Notes
    • Pairing Recipes
    • Save’N Sip Subscriptions
  • Gifts
    • Gift Sets & More
    • Etched Bottles
    • eGift Cards
  • Experiences
    • Plan a Visit
    • Wine & Food Pairings
      • Seasonal Menu
      • Reservations
    • New Wine Experience ‘Secrets of Sonoma’
    • Trolley Tours
    • Tasting Flights
    • Member Tastings
    • Group Tastings
    • Visitation Guidelines
  • Wine Club
    • Memberships
    • Club Schedule
    • Wine Club Support
      • Account Assistance
        • How to Customize a Club Release
      • FAQ
    • Referral Program
    • Member Portal
      • Member Tastings
      • Club Release
        • Pick-up Reservations
      • Shop Club Exclusives
      • Benefits
        • Explore All Benefits
        • Entertainment & Lodging
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Private Events
    • Weddings
    • Virtual Tour
    • Blessing of the Animals
  • Our Story
    • Contact
    • Giving Back
      • Canine Companions®
      • Joe Martin Day of Service
    • Our Wines
      • Technical Info
      • Accolades
      • Pairing Recipes
    • Wine Journal
    • Our Team
    • Estate Vineyards
    • Trade
      • Trade Wines
      • Trade Tools & Assets
      • Find Retailer
      • Importers
      • Wholesale Contact
    • Sustainability
    • Career Opportunities
BACK
  • 2018

Cabernet Sauvignon

  • Rockpile

93 Points | North Coast Wine Competition | April 2021

Cabernet Sauvignon, Rockpile

Tasting Notes

This high-elevation gem of a Cabernet tantalizes with a complex minerality in the nose. Wet granite and limestone meld with fresh violets and anise as the bouquet evolves. A rich, dense middle of blackberry compote and aromatic baking spices collide with cocoa notes. An expresso-like dry finish lingers for a long enjoyable closure.

Vintage Notes

2018 provided an ideal climate allowing time for the grapes to ripen to their optimum flavor structure. The year presented a fairly mild growing season with few heat spikes, inspiring winemakers to push harvest back a few weeks. This longer time on the vine was great for grapes and the mild temperatures kept the fruit from over-ripening. More than an inch of rain fell in early October in many locations, but there was little impact on the quality of the fruit. 2018 could be remembered as one of the longest and most desirable seasons in years, producing exceptional quality grapes throughout Sonoma County.

Vineyard Notes

We’ve sourced Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot from vineyards located 1,900 feet above Lake Sonoma in the Rockpile appellation, one of California’s newest and most admired appellations. With only about 160 planted acres, Rockpile is also one of the smallest AVAs in the United States. Climbing up the northern border of Dry Creek Valley, Rockpile’s high elevation, extreme terrain and unique climate make it an exceptional grape-growing region producing remarkable, concentrated fruit.

Winemaker Notes

All grapes are gently de-stemmed before cold-soaking for two days to extract optimal color and flavor. The fruit is fermented in separate lots, allowing each lot to be individually and distinctly crafted before being aged in French oak barrels, 55% new. The wine is kept in barrel for 20 months before final blending.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Rockpile
Web Store
WINEMAKER

Chris Louton

COLLECTION

Artisan Collection

GRAPE VARIETIES
91% Cabernet Sauvignon
9% Petit Verdot
ALCOHOL
15.1 %
CASES PRODUCED
815
AGING
20 Months
Bottling Date
Nov 2020
Barrel
French Oak, 55% New

Related Products, Recipes & Trade Tools

Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley

2018 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley

Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley

Reserve
Cabernet Sauvignon

Trade Assets
Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County

Cabernet Sauvignon

Trade Assets
Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County

2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County

Accolades

93 Points & Gold Medal | North Coast Wine Competition
91 Points | Tasting Panel Magazine
91 Points & Gold Medal | Sommelier's Choice

Food Pairing

Beef Stew

Asian Beef Stew

Food Pairing

plated steak

Grilled New York Strip Steak with Spring Garlic Butter

Food Pairing

glazed pork

Port and Tart Cherry Glazed Pork Belly with Braised Collard Greens

Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley

2016 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley

Accolades

93 Points & Highly Recommended | Decanter Magazine
92 Points | James Suckling
90 Points | Wine Spectator
Gold Medal | TEXSOM International Competition

Food Pairing

Plated Carpaccio

Beef Carpaccio with Wild Arugula

Lagomarsino Cabernet Sauvignon

2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Lagomarsino Vineyard

Accolades

93 Points | Press Democrat North Coast Challenge | July 2020
90 Points | Wine Advocate | Aug 2020
Double Gold Medal | Sonoma County Harvest Fair | Sep 2020
Gold Medal | Press Democrat North Coast Challenge | July 2020

Food Pairing

French onion soup

French Onion Soup

Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley

2014 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley

Accolades

93 Points | Wine Enthusiast | Oct 2017
90+ Points | Wine Advocate | Apr 2017
Gold Medal | San Francisco Chronicle Competition | Jan 2017
Best of Class | San Francisco Chronicle Competition | Jan 2017

Food Pairing

Peppered Scone with Strawberries

Black Pepper Scones and Balsamic Strawberries

Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County

2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County

Cabernet Sauvignon, Moon Moutain District of Sonoma County

2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Moon Moutain District

Food Pairing

Braised Beef Brisket

Braised Beef Brisket with Horseradish Cream

Food Pairing

chicken wings

Garlic Chicken Wings

Cabernet Sauvignon, Rockpile

2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Rockpile

Accolades

93 Points | Wine Enthusiast
Gold Medal | San Francisco Wine Competition

Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley

2017 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley

Food Pairing

Braised Beef Stew

Braised Beef Stew with Buttered Noodles

CALL or TEXT

(707) 833-0254

Subscribe to News & Offers

Marketing communications may be in the form of email, text message or phone.

READ PRIVACY POLICY

  • Trade
  • Accolades
  • Find Retailer
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Accessibility
100 Pythian Road at Hwy. 12 Santa Rosa, CA 95409
+1 (707) 833-0242
Open Daily | 10 AM – 5 PM | Holiday Hours
© 2025 St. Francis Winery & Vineyards. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy