Cabernet Sauvignon, Lucas & Lewellen, Sample, Santa Barbara County AVA, Santa Ynez Valley AVA, Wine

Review: Lucas & Lewellen Vineyard View Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

For a lot of people, Cabernet Sauvignon means Napa. Yet, as many people know, when you buy Napa, much of your dollar goes toward the name. There are many other regions producing high quality Cabernet Sauvignon at a fraction of the price of Napa. Recently, when we were offered a sample of the Lucas & Lewellen Vineyard View Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, from Santa Barbara County, we jumped at the chance!

 

The following wine was provided as a media sample for review. All reviews, descriptions, and opinions are our own. We received no additional compensation.

Lucas & Lewellen started as a partnership between Louis Lucas and Royce Lewellen in 1975. Mr. Lucas was a third generation grape grower. Mr. Lewellen was a Superior Court Judge. The two met through the Santa Maria Wine & Food Society. The two men shared a passion for fine wine and the Santa Barbara wine industry. Through their partnership, Lucas & Lewellen has established itself as a highly respected winery, with more than 400 acres of estate vineyards in Santa Barbara County.

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We were not disappointed with this Cabernet Sauvignon! With a SRP of $27, this Santa Barbara wine is a QPR champion. We’d expect to pay as much as 3x this much for a comparable Napa Cabernet. Readers, let this serve as notice that Santa Barbara County produces stand-alone Cabernet Sauvignon, beyond comparison.

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Deep, inky color. Aromas of blackberry, black currant, and vanilla notes. On he palate, big, bold flavors of ripe blackberry, cassis, black cherry, black plum, vanilla, and hints of smoke and spice. Tannins are big and chewy, and the acidity is well balanced. The finish is long, with black fruit and pepper. Drinking very well now, and the tannin structure would allow this wine to cellar for another 10 years. Paired with New York steak, grilled asparagus, and caprese salad, it was pure perfection.

 

Next time you are looking for a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon that will “wow” your friends, neighbors, or dinner guests, consider Lucas & Lewellen Vineyard View Cabernet Sauvignon 2016. We are convinced that everyone will be impressed!

Cheers!

  • By Kent Reynolds and Robyn Raphael
  • Photo Credit: Kent Reynolds and Robyn Raphael
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4 thoughts on “Review: Lucas & Lewellen Vineyard View Cabernet Sauvignon 2016”

  1. Kent-

    Megan is an amazing winemaker.

    When you get a chance taste her whites also.

    Well written!

    Thanks

    *Bill Tobey – Wine BrokerFeaturing Extraordinary Small Family Wineries916-729-3570*

    On Mon, Apr 29, 2019 at 5:53 PM Appetite for Wine wrote:

    > Appetite for Wine posted: “For a lot of people, Cabernet Sauvignon means > Napa. Yet, as many people know, when you buy Napa, much of your dollar goes > toward the name. There are many other regions producing high quality > Cabernet Sauvignon at a fraction of the price of Napa. Recently,” >

    Liked by 1 person

  2. When we lived in Phoenix, Lucas & Lewellen’s tasting room in Solvang was one of our favorite places to visit when we drove to the Santa Barbara area. Always found their wines to be of great value. We used to buy cases of wine for our drive back home. I remember after an exhausting tasting session with Louis Lucas, he kept bringing out old vintages, leaving my credit card by mistake. No harm was done, picked the card up the next morning.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. What a great story! I first learned of L&L several years ago when one of their reps visited a local wine bar. Imagine my pleasure when my son decided to attend UC Santa Barbara, so that every time I went to visit him, I drove right by Solvang! There were many a detour!

      Liked by 1 person

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