The 2021 growing season will be remembered for extremely low rainfall and for low yields off the vine. The low yields led to berry flavors that are pronounced and intense. The lack of rainfall resulted in the harvest starting earlier than in the past. Harvest kicked off on August 6th, a week earlier than the 2020 season and twenty days before 2019. The remainder of the harvest season was relatively smooth and uneventful. We received our last fruit on October 20th, just in time to miss the massive storm that dropped over 9 inches of rain on parts of California.
Aromas & Flavors: Notes of black currant, blackberry, cassis, and cherry cola with hints of vanilla and toast
Food Pairing: BBQ ribs, smash burger, or by itself on a sunny day…all day
Specs
Aging: Aged on French & American oak
TA: 0.3 (g/100mL)
pH: 3.41
Alcohol: 10.5%
Carbs: 2.7g per 5 oz serving
Calories: 93 calories per 5 oz serving
Production: 1,500 Cases
What’s Included
6-bottles:
6x 2021 CA Sessions Cabernet Sauvignon, California Case:
12x 2021 CA Sessions Cabernet Sauvignon, California
A Portfolio of Wines from California’s Premier Growing Regions
At the heart of our operations lies the Rutherford Wine Company, a family-owned and managed venture. Our extensive wine portfolio is a testament to the diverse and exceptional growing regions in California. We meticulously source our grapes from renowned appellations such as Napa Valley, Arroyo Seco, Lodi, and the Central Coast. To ensure the utmost quality, all our wines undergo the finishing and bottling process at our Napa Valley winery, which has been the focal point of our family’s winemaking tradition.
Incorporating the essence of California’s premier growing areas, our portfolio reflects the dynamic flavors and nuances nurtured by distinct climates and terrains.
From the lush landscapes of Napa Valley to the breezy expanse of the Central Coast, each bottle encapsulates the essence of its origin. Our commitment to showcasing the rich diversity of these regions lies at the heart of our winemaking philosophy.
Guided by a heritage of family values and a deep respect for the land, Rutherford Wine Company continues to craft wines that not only tantalize the palate but also tell a story of dedication, tradition, and the vibrant terroir of California’s most distinguished vineyards.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2021 CA Sessions Cabernet Sauvignon from Rutherford Wine Company - $28 = 23.74%
While I appreciate the pursuit of lower ABV & caloric wines, this one misses the mark.
Appearance: A light ruby with minimal color bleed at the edges. Nose: Initial notes of green bell pepper, earth, and dust give way to an artificial vanilla and violet as it breathes. Palate: A ‘watered-down’ wine experience dominated by artificial vanilla, akin to a cheap cream soda. Finish: Short, with flavors of cream soda and a mild acidity.
My wife’s assessment: ‘Seems geared towards those who prefer sweet drinks, perhaps college-aged individuals. Definitely not a re-purchase.’
It evokes memories of Captain Morgan pre-mixed drinks and my high school days in the early 2000s."
@KingKoopa Along with lower calories, it’s marketed as an “all day” “session” beverage. I’m not sure 10.5 abv is an all dayer. Guess I can start pounding those Imperial IPA’s without feeling bad about it…well maybe until the next morning
Drinks easy, but pours a bit light for a Cabernet Sauvignon. Hints of cherry and vanilla come through. It’s easy on the nose with an earthy vanilla aroma. It’s definitely on the sweeter side, but I didn’t find it too sweet. It’s not “Concord Grape” sweet, but definitely not dry.
I’d drink this all day on a fall weekend, but it’s not going to be my summer go to.
And no, I’m not a college kid. I’ve got kids that have graduated from college.
I was looking for a lower ABV wine. So I ordered this. Unfortunately, it arrived after being in the hot, hot UPS truck for most of the day. I stuck an instant read Thermoprobe thermometer through the cardboard of the unopened box and into the foam packaging. I got an instant read temp of 104°F and with various other probed spots, that varied from the 104°F high down to the mid 90s°. I don’t think the delayed summer shipping was in effect at that time. Maybe it was, and I didn’t see it or heed it if I did. I dunno.
I cellared the bottles quickly and after a few days opened the first one. It is drinkable, but barely. Not much in the way of fruit or berries, low to very low in tannins, and fairly noticeably acidic.
This is the sort of disaster that may lend itself well to making some of those summer wine cocktails, that Scott Harvey recently wrote about in his newsletter/blog “Summer Red Wine Refreshers” Jun 27, 2025 | Blog, Food Pairings, Weekly Wine Adventure, viz.,
Call Me A Cab (Red Wine Vodka Lemonade)
A bold yet breezy blend.
• Instructions: Pour vodka and lemonade over ice, then float the wine on top for a layered effect.
If this sounds strange, one of our most popular drinks in our tasting room during the summer is our port-style Forte, mixed with lemonade.You should try it!
Zin & Berry Cooler
Refreshing way to enjoy a chilled red like Zinfandel
Ingredients:
• 3 oz chilled Zinfandel
• 2 oz blackberry or blueberry juice
• Splash of lemon soda or sparkling lemonade
• Mixed berries and basil for garnish
Instructions: Combine wine and juice over ice. Top with lemon soda, stir lightly, and garnish with berries and basil.
Cherry Cola Refresher
Non-alcoholic cola meets dry red for a nostalgic cooler
Ingredients:
• 3 oz dry red wine
• 3 oz Coca-Cola
• Squeeze of lime
Instructions: Pour over ice in a highball glass. Garnish with lime and cherry. Surprisingly delicious!
Wine Slushie
Fun, easy, and perfect for hot days
Ingredients:
• 2 cups frozen mixed berries
• 1 cup red wine (Zinfandel or Syrah)
• 1 tbsp honey or agave
Instructions: Blend all ingredients until smooth and frosty. Serve in a chilled glass with a berry skewer.
Zinfandel Arnold Palmer
A wine twist on a tea classic
Ingredients:
• 3 oz chilled Zinfandel
• 3 oz unsweetened black iced tea
• Splash of lemonade
• Lemon wedge
Instructions: Pour wine and tea over ice, add a splash of lemonade, and stir gently. Garnish with a lemon wedge.
Summer Solstice Wine Cocktail
A fruity, fizzy delight with a deep berry twist.
Ingredients
Bing cherries,
Ripe peach,
Barbera
Blood Orange Italian Soda
Instructions: Muddle cherries and peaches with the wine, shake with ice, and strain into glasses filled with crushed ice. Top with soda for a sparkling finish.
@Jackinga
Posted quickly as a call was coming in, now unable to fix typos. Wanted to thank you for the recipe and share one myself. I suppose you could add white wine but your favorite white liquor would probably work better for this frozen whipped lemonade recipe.
2021 CA Sessions Cabernet Sauvignon, California
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
6-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale on winery website, $216/case MSRP
About The Winery
A Portfolio of Wines from California’s Premier Growing Regions
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Jun 30 - Wednesday, Jul 2
2021 CA Sessions Cabernet Sauvignon from Rutherford Wine Company
6 bottles for $58.99 $9.83/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $89.99 $7.50/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2021 CA Sessions Cabernet Sauvignon from Rutherford Wine Company - $28 = 23.74%
While I appreciate the pursuit of lower ABV & caloric wines, this one misses the mark.
Appearance: A light ruby with minimal color bleed at the edges.
Nose: Initial notes of green bell pepper, earth, and dust give way to an artificial vanilla and violet as it breathes.
Palate: A ‘watered-down’ wine experience dominated by artificial vanilla, akin to a cheap cream soda.
Finish: Short, with flavors of cream soda and a mild acidity.
My wife’s assessment: ‘Seems geared towards those who prefer sweet drinks, perhaps college-aged individuals. Definitely not a re-purchase.’
It evokes memories of Captain Morgan pre-mixed drinks and my high school days in the early 2000s."
@KingKoopa Along with lower calories, it’s marketed as an “all day” “session” beverage. I’m not sure 10.5 abv is an all dayer. Guess I can start pounding those Imperial IPA’s without feeling bad about it…well maybe until the next morning
Drinks easy, but pours a bit light for a Cabernet Sauvignon. Hints of cherry and vanilla come through. It’s easy on the nose with an earthy vanilla aroma. It’s definitely on the sweeter side, but I didn’t find it too sweet. It’s not “Concord Grape” sweet, but definitely not dry.
I’d drink this all day on a fall weekend, but it’s not going to be my summer go to.
And no, I’m not a college kid.
I’ve got kids that have graduated from college.
Megapurple
I was looking for a lower ABV wine. So I ordered this. Unfortunately, it arrived after being in the hot, hot UPS truck for most of the day. I stuck an instant read Thermoprobe thermometer through the cardboard of the unopened box and into the foam packaging. I got an instant read temp of 104°F and with various other probed spots, that varied from the 104°F high down to the mid 90s°. I don’t think the delayed summer shipping was in effect at that time. Maybe it was, and I didn’t see it or heed it if I did. I dunno.
I cellared the bottles quickly and after a few days opened the first one. It is drinkable, but barely. Not much in the way of fruit or berries, low to very low in tannins, and fairly noticeably acidic.
This is the sort of disaster that may lend itself well to making some of those summer wine cocktails, that Scott Harvey recently wrote about in his newsletter/blog “Summer Red Wine Refreshers” Jun 27, 2025 | Blog, Food Pairings, Weekly Wine Adventure, viz.,
Call Me A Cab (Red Wine Vodka Lemonade)
A bold yet breezy blend.
•Ingredients:
•Lemonade
•Vodka
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Instructions: Pour vodka and lemonade over ice, then float the wine on top for a layered effect.
If this sounds strange, one of our most popular drinks in our tasting room during the summer is our port-style Forte, mixed with lemonade.You should try it!
Zin & Berry Cooler
Refreshing way to enjoy a chilled red like Zinfandel
Ingredients:
• 3 oz chilled Zinfandel
• 2 oz blackberry or blueberry juice
• Splash of lemon soda or sparkling lemonade
• Mixed berries and basil for garnish
Instructions: Combine wine and juice over ice. Top with lemon soda, stir lightly, and garnish with berries and basil.
Cherry Cola Refresher
Non-alcoholic cola meets dry red for a nostalgic cooler
Ingredients:
• 3 oz dry red wine
• 3 oz Coca-Cola
• Squeeze of lime
Instructions: Pour over ice in a highball glass. Garnish with lime and cherry. Surprisingly delicious!
Wine Slushie
Fun, easy, and perfect for hot days
Ingredients:
• 2 cups frozen mixed berries
• 1 cup red wine (Zinfandel or Syrah)
• 1 tbsp honey or agave
Instructions: Blend all ingredients until smooth and frosty. Serve in a chilled glass with a berry skewer.
Zinfandel Arnold Palmer
A wine twist on a tea classic
Ingredients:
• 3 oz chilled Zinfandel
• 3 oz unsweetened black iced tea
• Splash of lemonade
• Lemon wedge
Instructions: Pour wine and tea over ice, add a splash of lemonade, and stir gently. Garnish with a lemon wedge.
Summer Solstice Wine Cocktail
A fruity, fizzy delight with a deep berry twist.
Ingredients
Instructions: Muddle cherries and peaches with the wine, shake with ice, and strain into glasses filled with crushed ice. Top with soda for a sparkling finish.
@Jackinga
Hats off to you for trying to make the best of it, but you should really contact customer service with your concerns
@Jackinga
Posted quickly as a call was coming in, now unable to fix typos. Wanted to thank you for the recipe and share one myself. I suppose you could add white wine but your favorite white liquor would probably work better for this frozen whipped lemonade recipe.