{"product_id":"2023-cabernet-reserve","title":"2023 Cabernet Reserve","description":"\u003ch1\u003eThe Wine That Started It All\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are some wines that define a winery. \u003cstrong\u003eThis is ours.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe McGrail Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve was the very first wine we ever made, and its story is the foundation of everything we do today. From that first vintage, this wine captured the heart of our family and our guests, becoming a true symbol of who we are: passionate, family-driven, and deeply rooted in the Livermore Valley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery vintage, we remain true to the philosophy that started it all: exceptional estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, meticulous winemaking, extended barrel aging, and our signature “spice rack” approach to oak. The \u003cstrong\u003e2023 vintage\u003c\/strong\u003e carries that legacy forward beautifully, combining the richness and structure McGrail Cabernet is known for with remarkable freshness, balance, and elegance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Wine\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003e100% estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/strong\u003e opens with expressive aromas of ripe red cherry, black cherry, red currant, and cassis, layered with violets, vanilla, and dark chocolate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCinnamon, nutmeg, and black pepper mingle with savory notes of thyme, sage, sandalwood, and black tea, adding depth and complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRich and concentrated on the palate, flavors of cherry, blackberry, cassis, and ripe plum are framed by vibrant acidity and firm, finely textured tannins. Baking spice and dark chocolate emerge as the wine unfolds, carrying through a long, polished finish filled with luscious dark fruit and lingering freshness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePair with grilled filet mignon topped with rosemary-garlic butter, red-wine-braised short ribs over creamy polenta, or aged cheddar, smoked Gouda, and rosemary Marcona almonds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe 2023 Vintage\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003e2023 growing season\u003c\/strong\u003e was one of the coolest Livermore Valley had experienced in recent years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlentiful winter rainfall replenished the soils and supported healthy vine growth, while cooler temperatures delayed budbreak, bloom, veraison, and ultimately harvest. Unlike warmer vintages, 2023 saw no extreme summer heat events, allowing the Cabernet Sauvignon to ripen slowly and evenly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHarvest began approximately \u003cstrong\u003ethree weeks later than normal\u003c\/strong\u003e, giving the fruit additional time on the vine to develop flavor, color, and tannin while preserving vibrant natural acidity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result is an expressive Cabernet with \u003cstrong\u003ebeautiful concentration, freshness, structure, and balance\u003c\/strong\u003e—a vintage that showcases both the power and elegance of Livermore Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWinemaking Style\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur winemaker’s approach is a little like composing music—and he is a musician, after all. It is a combination of precision, creativity, and knowing how every element works together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor our Cabernet Reserve, we use what we affectionately call a \u003cstrong\u003e“spice rack of oak.”\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2023 Cabernet Reserve was aged in a thoughtfully selected combination of \u003cstrong\u003eFrench, American, and Hungarian oak barrels\u003c\/strong\u003e. Each contributes something different to the finished wine: layers of warm baking spice, vanilla, toast, structure, and complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApproximately \u003cstrong\u003e70% of the barrels are new\u003c\/strong\u003e, and the wine spends about \u003cstrong\u003e32 months in oak\u003c\/strong\u003e, giving the fruit, tannins, and oak ample time to integrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result is a Cabernet that is \u003cstrong\u003epowerful yet polished, layered and complex, with a long, refined finish.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Soul of McGrail Vineyards\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the wine that built our story—the bottle we still open for family dinners, celebrations, milestones, and the moments that matter most.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur founders, \u003cstrong\u003eJim and Ginger McGrail\u003c\/strong\u003e, believed we should make one thing exceptionally well before making anything else.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis is that wine.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Cabernet Reserve is a reflection of our family, our estate vineyard, and our belief that great wine should bring people together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you’ve visited our hilltop estate, joined us for a wine club event, celebrated with us, or simply opened a bottle of McGrail with people you love, you are part of this story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConsider the Cabernet Reserve your \u003cstrong\u003einvitation back home to McGrail.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePair It With Moments That Matter\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrilled ribeye with rosemary and sea salt\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFilet mignon with rosemary-garlic butter\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRed-wine-braised short ribs\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSunday pot roast\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWild mushroom risotto\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA beautiful cheese board with aged cheddar or smoked Gouda\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFamily dinners, celebrations, and bottles shared around the table\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLimited Estate Release\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnly \u003cstrong\u003e1,056 cases\u003c\/strong\u003e of the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve were produced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHandcrafted from our Livermore Valley estate vineyard and aged for nearly three years in barrel, this is a wine built to evolve beautifully in the cellar—but it is equally compelling to enjoy today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVarietal:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100% Cabernet Sauvignon\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAppellation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Livermore Valley\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyard:\u003c\/strong\u003e McGrail Vineyards Estate\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1,056 cases\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOak Aging:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 32 months\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOak:\u003c\/strong\u003e French, American \u0026amp; Hungarian; approximately 70% new\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlcohol:\u003c\/strong\u003e 14.6%\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCellar Potential:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10–15+ years\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrice:\u003c\/strong\u003e $49\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability:\u003c\/strong\u003e Limited estate release\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Accolades\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve has earned exceptional acclaim across vintages:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2022 Vintage\u003c\/strong\u003e — 97 Points, Double Gold \u0026amp; Best of Class, \u003cem\u003eSunset International Wine Competition\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2022 Vintage\u003c\/strong\u003e — 93 Points \u0026amp; Editors’ Choice, \u003cem\u003eWine Enthusiast\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2022 Vintage\u003c\/strong\u003e — Platinum \u0026amp; Reserve Class Champion, \u003cem\u003eRodeo Austin \/ Texas International Wine Competition\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2021 Vintage\u003c\/strong\u003e — Wine Star Award \/ Top Red Wine of the Competition, \u003cem\u003eLone Star International Wine Competition\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2021 Vintage\u003c\/strong\u003e — Double Gold, \u003cem\u003eSan Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2020 Vintage\u003c\/strong\u003e — 97 Points, Double Gold \u0026amp; Best of Class, \u003cem\u003eSunset International Wine Competition\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2019 Vintage\u003c\/strong\u003e — Best of Class, \u003cem\u003eSan Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2008 Vintage\u003c\/strong\u003e — Red Wine Sweepstakes Winner, \u003cem\u003eSan Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOne vineyard. One family. One Cabernet that started it all.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"McGrail Vineyards and Winery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43243551490119,"sku":null,"price":49.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0687\/8461\/9591\/files\/2023CabReserve.png?v=1791218181","url":"https:\/\/mcgrailvineyards-2.myshopify.com\/products\/2023-cabernet-reserve","provider":"McGrail Vineyards and Winery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}