Lucas & Lewellen Cote del Sol Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Overview
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This Cabernet is then co-fermented with Syrah from the same vineyard, which adds a spicy, jammy note to the oak infused wine. Flavors of plum, cassis, and dried herbs overlay rich tannins and an opulent finish. |
Wine Facts
VITICULTURE: Cabernet grapes for “Cote del Sol”, our reserve-level Cabernet, are hand-harvested from the south facing side of the vines only, which grow on a narrow, 22 row slope on the winery’s Valley View Vineyard. Santa Ynez Valley AVA, 40 acres. This warm climate vineyard slopes gently toward the Santa Ynez River and features well drained fine sand and gravely loam soils. The lower elevation of this south-facing vineyard produces what many consider Santa Barbara County’s best Cabernet Sauvignon.
VINIFICATION: The Cote del Sol Cabernet Sauvignon was aged for 21 months in 45% new French oak barrels.
FAMILY: Louis Lucas and Royce Lewellen were friends before they were ever business partners. One of their common interests was their love of Santa Barbara County. Louis had been a successful grape grower for many years, and had the reputation to match, while Royce was a judge and dreamer who imagined what Santa Barbara could be as a wine region. They banded together to create Lucas & Lewellen Wines. Today, Michael Lewellen, Royce’s son, is the managing partner, making Lucas & Lewellen a second-generation family-owned winery. The Lucas & Lewellen vineyards have become legendary for lovers of premium wines from Santa Barbara County since 1975.
Santa Barbara’s topography is unlike any other wine region. The east-west orientation of the mountain range forms a valley opening directly to the Pacific Ocean. That cool ocean breeze is a hallmark of the Santa Barbara climate, and one that Louis and Royce wanted to highlight in their wines. They acquired the three vineyards that have myriad microclimates, from cool Santa Maria Valley to moderate Los Alamos Valley, known for fresh and vibrant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, to warmer Santa Ynez Valley, which produces stellar Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Producer: Lucas & Lewellen
Region: Santa Ynez Valley, California
Country: United States
Wine Composition: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon 8% Syrah
Alcohol: 13.5%
Total Acidity: 0.65 G/L
pH: 3.65
Region: Santa Ynez Valley, California
Country: United States
Wine Composition: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon 8% Syrah
Alcohol: 13.5%
Total Acidity: 0.65 G/L
pH: 3.65
Press Highlights
2019: 91 Pts - Wine Enthusiast, Sept 20232018: 91 Pts ‘Editor's Choice’ - Wine Enthusiast, Dec 2020
2017: 91 Pts - Wine Enthusiast, Dec 2020
2016: 90 Pts - Wine Enthusiast, July 2019
2015: 91 Pts - Wine Enthusiast, Sept 2018
2015: 92 Pts ‘Gold Medal’ - L.A. Int’l Wine Competition
2014: 90 Pts - Wine Enthusiast, Sept 2018
2013: 92 Pts ‘Editor's Choice’ - Wine Enthusiast, Sept 2018
2012: 92 Pts ‘Editor's Choice’ - Wine Enthusiast, July 2016