Ranchos de Ontiveros Cabernet Sauvignon “Canada de los Pinos” Reserva
WHY WE LOVE IT
- The Rancho Ontiveros Cabernet Sauvignon “Cañada de los Pinos” is grown on the Riata Oaks vineyard in Santa Ynez Valley, through the Cañada de los Pinos land grant.
- The soils are BbC, Ballard Gravelly Fine Sandy Loam, with a 2-9% Slope.
Varietal Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Elaboration: The vines are destemmed and harvested in September.
Tasting Notes:“Lovely aromas of black cherry are layered in milk and dark chocolate, oregano and wood spice on the nose of this bottling. Fine-grained tannins frame the sip, where smoked berry and aged meat flavors meet with pencil shavings and dried herbs. It’s very complex.” 94 Points. -Matt Kettmann, Wine Enthusiast
PRESS
2016 – 89-92 Vinous | 90 Wine & Spirit
2017 – 94 Wine Enthusiast
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
In California’s Santa Maria Valley, Ranchos de Ontiveros produces small-lot estate wines that reflect the terroir and offer a true expression of the unique climate, soil, and capability of the valley.
This story begins in 1781 when Josef Ontiveros rode from Mexico to settle in California. He would become the first in a line of generations of California ranchers and farmers. Now, nine generations after his arrival, James Ontiveros is proud to grow and make wines of superb quality and complexity.
Both of the winery’s estate vineyards, Rancho Viñedo and Rancho Ontiveros, have a complex history and yield old-world-inspired wines. Only four miles apart, the soils of Rancho Viñedo are millions of years older than Rancho Ontiveros, and the old vines on their own roots are decades older. At 23, James planted Rancho Ontiveros on a windswept plot at an elevation of 700 feet. The unique soils and elevation led James to plant Pinot Noir, at the time, a risky and unconventional choice.