2023 Wood Family Vineyards “VIVA” Cabernet Sauvignon – A Crowd Favorite
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Background
To start with the word “VIVA” is an exclamation of support meaning “long live” and “hurrah”. It is appropriately named as the 2023 Wood Family Vineyards “VIVA” Cabernet Sauvignon is a wonderful and crowd favorite wine. It falls between some of the stellar Napa Cabernet Sauvignon (and now Wood Family Culmination Cabernet Sauvignon) and many commercial & grocery store daily wines! There are days where a big and bold Cabernet along with mouth-puckering tannins is too much to have as a standalone wine. Conversely a “milk toast” commercial/grocery store Cabernet doesn’t provide enough fruit, balance and tannins to be enjoyed with a hearty steak. Now the solution appears with “VIVA” Cabernet Sauvignon by Wood Family Vineyards. This wine is mellow enough to enjoy by itself but can also pack enough punch to go with a meal.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Thus, the versality with the “VIVA” Cabernet Sauvignon. For those occasions where a softer, more refined and gentler Cabernet Sauvignon is required this Wood Family Vineyards “VIVA” Cabernet Sauvignon is spot on! Rhonda Wood does make your bigger and heartier Cabernet Sauvignon’s (“Especial”, “Clone 30”, “Woody’s Cab”, The Runway blend and now Culmination) for those characteristics and for heavy food and wine pairings. She calls those Cabernets “fork & knife Cabernets”. I call them “chewy or grippy Cabernets”. Each has its place and now “VIVA” provides a perfect mid-point Cabernet for the wine aficionado.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
On the eyes a deep and bright purple and maroon color stands out in the glass with a medium viscosity. On the nose aromas of cherries and flowers (violets) waft gently into the senses. I have stated this before and it is again true for the 2023 vintage that on the palate this wine cuddles up like a down comforter on a cool winter evening. While tannins are present, they are absent of harshness or overwhelming oak layers upon layers to debunk. Vanilla, cranberry, raspberry and a hint of blueberry swarms about to provide a compelling wine to sip and enjoy. The finish is medium length and harmonious. Alcohol percentage is 14.4% and aged in French oak with 27 barrels being produced. This wine will be released in Q4 of 2025. It is 100% Estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
It is a very well-balanced wine with fruit, tannins and acidity in precise equilibrium.
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Paired this evening with seared and BBQ’ed ribeye steak served medium rare. The idea was to pair this “mellower” Cabernet Sauvignon with a juicy steak to see if it could handle the meat. Indeed, it did with sufficient tannins to cut through the ribeye. Accompanying the meal were small red potatoes cut in half, seasoned and roasted. Also seasoned and roasted were halved Brussel sprouts. A delicious meal with no compromise with the mellower 2023 “VIVA” Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Winery
Photo from Wood Family Vineyards website
Wood Family Vineyards, located in eastern Livermore Valley, with Rhonda Wood owner & winemaker, has been producing award winning wines for over two decades. You can read more about her background from airline pilot to award winning winemaker at:
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2016/02/10/wood-family-vineyards-2/
and
Her awards are extensive and too numerous to list here in this article and would refer you to their website at the bottom of this article.
Sláinte,
Michael