The Chateau La Paws Cabernet Sauvignon is a non-vintage wine (grapes come from more than on vintage) sourced from vineyards in more than one California grape growing AVA. Chateau La Paws is made by, or more accurately vinted and bottled by Rosenberg Cellars, who are owned by Diego Chateau & Estate Wines. Who in turn recently sold off much of their wine holdings to Treasury Wine Estates of Australia, so I’m not sure who owns what. But none of that matters, because the Chateau La Paws label is created to support the North Shore Animal League America, a No-Kill animal shelter that has saved 1,000,000 dogs and cats since 1944. Chateau La Paws will have donated $100,000 to the charity by the end of 2015. The front label features dogs that have been been given a second chance, that’s Waldorf on the Cabernet label. Normally a non-vintage Cab sourced from several AVA’s wouldn’t be too interesting, but a bottle or two of the Chateau La Paws might be just the right wine to share with friends and family who love dogs and cats. The alcohol content is 13%.
The color is a clear and shiny cherry red. The nose is a mix of blackberry, cherry wood smoke from a BBQ smoker and molasses. This is a dry, medium bodied Cabernet Sauvignon, lean with decent acidity. It tastes of extracted blackberry, sweet raspberry and dusty chocolate powder. The mid-palate shows tart cranberry and a faint hit of vanilla. The tannins do not bite and the acidity is solid enough for this Cab to work as a food wine. The finish is fairly full and lengthy.
The Chateau La Paws Cabernet Sauvignon is a bit of a surprise, it is not a classic California Cabernet. I would have a hard time identifying it as a Cab in a blind tasting (I have a hard time identifying anything in a blind tasting), it reminds me of a Red blend, but it is long, lean, with interesting flavors that would pair very well with a Chipolte steak burrito or a savory Sicilian pizza. I was expecting a slight sweet fruit bomb of a wine and I what I got was a tasty, adult, versatile Red wine that you can drink while watching TV with your dog or cat on your lap.
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