Cabernet Sauvignon

Walla Walla Valley, USA

Leonetti Cellar's flagship cabernet sauvignon from Walla Walla Valley sources, the wine that defined the region's premium ambitions. Gary Figgins established Leonetti in 1977 as Washington's first modern boutique winery; his cabernet sauvignon was the wine that showed the state could compete at the international level. Rich and generously textured in the Leonetti house style, with dark fruit, chocolate, and subtle savouriness — a wine built for approachability at 5–10 years and longevity beyond 20.

Pairing intelligence

• main: Leonetti's structured Walla Walla Cab frames the Wellington's multiple layers — beef, mushroom, pastry — providing a structural counterpoint to the dish's richness while the cassis mirrors the porcini umami.
• main: Structured Columbia Valley Cabernet with braised short rib operates on the tannin-protein principle: six-hour braise converts collagen to gelatin and fat, creating the ideal environment for the wine's firm tannin to soften and integrate. Cedar and cassis echo the braise's concentrated beef character. Roasted garlic purée adds sweetness that opens the wine's fruit register.
• main: Leonetti's rich fruit and firm structure manage the short rib's deep fat and bourbon sweetness; the vinegar slaw provides the acidity that the wine's own structure demands.
• main: Dark mole's bittersweet chocolate and chilli complexity is bridged by the Cabernet's dark fruit and tobacco character. The wine's firm tannin cuts through the bean and meat richness without overwhelming the complex mole sauce.
• fish course: A classic Californian-influenced Cabernet style finds surprising harmony with rich salmon on earthy lentils; the red wine reduction bridges the wine's tannin structure and the lentils mirror the wine's earthiness.