Andrew Cabernet Sauvignon

ANDREW Cabernet Sauvignon is a certified organic Paso Robles red wine bottled at 13.9% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Scoring 92 points from both James Suckling and The Tasting Panel, this Cabernet-dominant blend stands out in its price tier by stacking organic, biodynamic, and SIP Certified sustainability credentials — a rare combination for a Paso Robles wine at this level.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.9%  |  Origin: Paso Robles, Central Coast, California  |  2023 Vintage  |  Producer: ANDREW (STEL+MAR)

Production & Heritage

ANDREW was founded in 2023 by Chris, Barb, and Christian alongside winemaker Phil Zorn, who trained in Napa Valley before sourcing fruit from the ANDREW Vineyard in Paso Robles' Creston District. The blend — 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, and 4% Merlot — is fermented in stainless steel and aged for nine months in American oak barrels, a regimen that preserves primary fruit intensity while layering structure. The vineyard sits on sandy loam soils known for producing wines of purity and definition, and the entire operation runs on 15 acres of solar power, making it 100% solar-powered from farming through production. The brand is 74% female-owned and carries CCOF Organic, Certified Biodynamic, and SIP Certified designations on the label.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe blackcurrant and plum, followed by hints of cedar, dried herb, and uncracked peppercorns. Secondary notes of warm spice and earthy undertones develop with air, adding complexity as the wine breathes.

Taste: Medium-bodied on entry, the palate builds through layers of anise, bay leaf, and concentrated blackberry. Cherry cola, cassis, and vanilla emerge at mid-palate, supported by toasted oak and red licorice. Silky tannins provide structure while keeping the wine lush and impressively balanced.

Finish: Generously long and multi-layered, with teeth-grabbing tannins and plum skin adding tension. Cola, coffee, licorice, and graphite linger through a dark, structured close.

How to Drink ANDREW Cabernet

This wine rewards thirty minutes of decanting before serving at cellar temperature (60–65°F); it drinks well neat and gains additional aromatic lift with brief air exposure. A Classic Red Wine Spritz works here because the firm tannins hold up against soda and citrus without losing their backbone. The blackberry and spice profile makes it a natural fit for a Cabernet Sangria built with seasonal stone fruit and cinnamon. For a simpler serve, try it in a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) — the wine's existing cola and licorice notes create seamless integration.

Best For

• Gifting a wine enthusiast who values sustainability credentials alongside quality
• Weeknight steaks and braised dishes where a structured, food-friendly red is essential
• Building an organic wine collection at an accessible price tier
• Introducing friends to serious Paso Robles Cabernet beyond the mass-market labels

Frequently Asked Questions

What does ANDREW Cabernet taste like? ANDREW Cabernet Sauvignon is medium-bodied with concentrated blackberry, cassis, and anise flavors, accented by vanilla and toasted oak. The finish is long and layered, with coffee, licorice, graphite, and firm tannins providing structure.

How does ANDREW Cabernet compare to Matchbook "The Arsonist" Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are value-tier, organically farmed California Cabernets, but ANDREW scores higher — 92 points from James Suckling and The Tasting Panel versus The Arsonist's 90 points from Wine Enthusiast. ANDREW also carries biodynamic and SIP certifications in addition to organic, and its Paso Robles sourcing tends toward riper, more structured fruit compared to The Arsonist's Dunnigan Hills origin.

Is ANDREW Cabernet good for sipping neat? Yes — its silky tannins, balanced acidity, and layered dark fruit profile make it well-suited to drinking on its own, especially after brief decanting to let the cedar and spice notes open up.

Where is ANDREW Cabernet made? ANDREW Cabernet Sauvignon is produced from fruit grown at the ANDREW Vineyard in the Creston District of Paso Robles, on California's Central Coast. The vineyard and winery operate on 100% solar power and are certified organic by CCOF.

What foods pair well with ANDREW Cabernet? Grilled ribeye steak complements the wine's firm tannins and dark fruit core. Braised short ribs echo its cola and licorice undertones. Aged cheddar or Manchego cheese highlights the toasted oak and vanilla. Herb-crusted lamb pairs naturally with the bay leaf and dried herb notes. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the coffee and graphite character on the finish.

What sizes does ANDREW Cabernet come in? ANDREW Cabernet Sauvignon is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is ANDREW Cabernet worth the price? ANDREW positions as a mid-range Paso Robles Cabernet that punches above its weight, stacking two 92-point scores and triple sustainability certifications — organic, biodynamic, and SIP Certified — in a price tier where most competitors carry only one or none of those designations.

Why ANDREW Cabernet?

What separates this wine from the crowded field of sub-$35 Paso Robles Cabernets is the convergence of verifiable quality and environmental accountability. Earning 92 points from both James Suckling and The Tasting Panel while carrying certified organic, biodynamic, and SIP Certified credentials is genuinely uncommon at this price level. Phil Zorn's Napa-trained winemaking approach — stainless-steel fermentation preserving fruit purity, followed by restrained American oak aging — produces a wine that favors balance over extraction. For drinkers who want a Paso Robles Cabernet with substance, structure, and a transparent production story, ANDREW delivers without requiring a premium-tier investment.