2020 Lo Lo Wine Co Cabernet Sauvignon, Red HiIls, Lake County
Tasting Notes
Right from the first burst of dark fruit aromas, you know this wine means business. Late Summer-ripe black cherries dominate the nose, with a whiff of vanilla bean. Silky, yet bold textures, meld with the blackberry, dried cranberry, and black plum fruit notes. The lovely finish is miles long and lingers with hints of cherry cola, espresso, and rich dark chocolate.
The Red Hills Vineyard
Elevation: 600-1200 feet. The grapes are harvested from both the valley floor, primarily alluvial soils with silty-cay composition of marine origin, and the hillside, showing more clay-loam and stony-clay composition with some volcanic outcropping.
Winemaker Dawne Sachetti’s Notes
This wine is crafted to showcase the ripeness of fruit from the Red Hills with firm tannins and a full, rich taste. This lush Cabernet delivers a striking balance of fruit, spice and just the right touch of oak for a sultry round finish.
Specs
Vintage: 2020
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Lake County, Red Hills
Fermentation: 100% Barrel Fermented
Barrel Aging: 16 Months French Oak, 20%
Alcohol: 14.8%
New Cases Produced: 2,000
What’s Included
4-bottles:
4x 2020 Lo Lo Wine Co Cabernet Sauvignon, Red HiIls, Lake County Case:
12x 2020 Lo Lo Wine Co Cabernet Sauvignon, Red HiIls, Lake County
Price Comparison
Not for sale on winery website, $276/case MSRP
About The Winery
Winery: Lo Lo Wine Co.
Lo Lo Wine Co. is one of Ian Davies’ latest projects. Lolo or “Little One” is an homage to Ian’s youngest, Lauren. Her indomitable spirit inspired the creation of this bold, Red Hills Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine is crafted to showcase the richness of fruit from the Red Hills Lake County region of California.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
I have tried and failed as usual to put the Lab Rat logo on this report. [mod; but that has a remedy] That said I am always both excited and nervous when I get the email that I have been selected as a Lab Rat–Oh the pressure! Felt a little better when I saw that this was a Cab-my go to varietal. I let the bottle sit for only two hours after it arrived as I wanted to do a two- day review, then twisted off the cap. I’m not bothered by twist- off, in fact I like them. Poured a glass and let that sit for almost another two hours. My usual taste testers are out of town and husband only drinks beer so I called another friend who I thought would be eager to help.
First impression: Pleasant nose, good color
First Sip: smooth east drinking, medium body not too heavy
Subsequent sips-this is really delicious! We had a very hard time throttling back to leave a glass for the next night-both my friend and I enjoyed this wine very much and will be buying.
The second night delivered also-I think I’m going to do two cases for the first time ever.
Today we have a 2020 Cabernet from the Lo Lo Wine Co from Red Hills in Lake County. This is a nice looking screw top with a funky almost Art Deco label.
This arrived earlier this week and despite the 90+ degree heat, I was pleased to see that the bottle was cool to the touch. I put it in the cooler anyway.
Tasting day was last night, and given that it was a Cab, I took the bottle out and poured it into a decanter. The first thing I did was check the nose, I wanted to see if I detected any smoke. This is a 2020 vintage and they had horrible fires in California that year. I’ve heard it’s affected some wines. Happy to report no smoke in this one. I did get the aroma of black cherries and something spicy, perhaps a bit of clove? A pleasant nose, typical of a Cab.
This wine is darker than I expected. I can never figure out how to embed pictures here, sorry about that. This is a nice crimson, and after a swirl you can see the legs.
My first impression upon trying a sip, this is great. A full bodied Cabernet with cranberries, bramble and a bit of spice on the tongue. It’s dry, but has a great mouthfeel from the tannins. As I enjoyed the glass, I tried to pick out some other fruits but I could not elaborate on the previously mentioned cranberries and bramble. But what I did get was a bit of espresso on the long finish. I really enjoyed the tannins and silky mouthfeel in this wine, I think the winemaker did a great job balancing the fruit, the spice and the tannins in this one.
This would be a great table wine for the summer or fall.
We had it with some reverse seared Rib Eye, twice baked potatoes and sauteed broccoli rabe. I think the smoothness of this wine makes it more versatile than a typical Cab. I’d say it would go with something as light as pizza or BBQ chicken.
Probably more of a drink now than put it up kind of wine.
At this price, you can’t go wrong. Checking my available space and if I have room I’m in for a case.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2020 Lo Lo Wine Co. Cabernet Sauvignon - $55 = 33.33%
Happy Wednesday…Beverage Tasting Institute / tastings.com had this to say:
88 points. Silver Medal. Highly Recommended
Garnet color. Aroma of eucalyptus with a medium-to-full body and a medium-to-long black cherry, shishito pepper, smoked paprika, and american spirit tobaccotar finish. A complex, slightly herbal, layered old world meets new world Cabernet. Enjoy in 3-6 years. 3/29/22
Wine Enthusiast chimed in on 11/01/22:
86 points. This solid, straightforward wine is full bodied, moderately tannic and offers good black-fruit flavors. — Jim Gordon
A couple mentions that the fruit is Beckstoffer Vineyard owned including from the wine project (retailer) https://www.gtwineproject.com/
“About the Producer:
2020 was a difficult year for California Cabernet. Smoke from a particularly hash wildfire season rendered the fruit from most Northern California vineyards unusable. Even the most resourceful winemakers found themselves unable to make quality Cabernet that year.
However, hidden in the Red Hills region of Lake County, just north of Napa Valley, lies a prime vineyard owned by legendary winegrower Andy Beckstoffer. It’s a unicorn of a vineyard that remained smoke free. Sommelier-turned-importer Ian Davies happened to know the Beckstoffers from his restaurant days and couldn’t believe his luck when Andy agreed to sell him some fruit from the vineyard.Ian reached out to longtime Sonoma winemaker Dawne Sacchetti and she crafted one of the tastiest Northern California Cabernets you’ll see in the 2020 vintage.”
@kaolis Now that I read that eucalyptus on nose comment, I agree. I couldn’t quite place what I was smelling, I’d say fresh eucalyptus is more accurate than the cloves I was guessing at.
Ummm…not a buyer but looks like 4 packs and 12 packs are reloaded unless a glitch on my end, but both show available and able to put both options in my cart
I think I just hit Buy because I wanted to see if it was really sold out, but I’m actually happy to see that the order went through (confetti and all!), so UPS will be making a few visits in the next few weeks.
Enjoyed my first bottle of this last night. My buddy and I both agreed with the notes of cranberry, nice tannins with a great finish. Since these are screw on bottles I am planning to drink these within the year.
@HOUSTONHOARDER Mise well include what I cooked with it. Wagyu cheese burgers with brioche buns (national cheeseburger day). Appetizer was Jalapeno sausage and ribs. Caesar salad as the only side.
Heck of a meal.
I just poured my first glass after receiving yesterday. If this was a blind taste, I’d think it was a Napa valley Coombsville cab with a small percentage of cab franc. Really enjoying this. At list price, I’d buy a case again
2020 Lo Lo Wine Co Cabernet Sauvignon, Red HiIls, Lake County
Tasting Notes
The Red Hills Vineyard
Winemaker Dawne Sachetti’s Notes
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale on winery website, $276/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Sep 16 - Tuesday, Sep 17
2020 Lo Lo Wine Co. Cabernet Sauvignon
4 bottles for $54.99 $13.75/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $109.99 $9.17/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
I have tried and failed as usual to put the Lab Rat logo on this report. [mod; but that has a remedy] That said I am always both excited and nervous when I get the email that I have been selected as a Lab Rat–Oh the pressure! Felt a little better when I saw that this was a Cab-my go to varietal. I let the bottle sit for only two hours after it arrived as I wanted to do a two- day review, then twisted off the cap. I’m not bothered by twist- off, in fact I like them. Poured a glass and let that sit for almost another two hours. My usual taste testers are out of town and husband only drinks beer so I called another friend who I thought would be eager to help.
First impression: Pleasant nose, good color
First Sip: smooth east drinking, medium body not too heavy
Subsequent sips-this is really delicious! We had a very hard time throttling back to leave a glass for the next night-both my friend and I enjoyed this wine very much and will be buying.
The second night delivered also-I think I’m going to do two cases for the first time ever.
Today we have a 2020 Cabernet from the Lo Lo Wine Co from Red Hills in Lake County. This is a nice looking screw top with a funky almost Art Deco label.
This arrived earlier this week and despite the 90+ degree heat, I was pleased to see that the bottle was cool to the touch. I put it in the cooler anyway.
Tasting day was last night, and given that it was a Cab, I took the bottle out and poured it into a decanter. The first thing I did was check the nose, I wanted to see if I detected any smoke. This is a 2020 vintage and they had horrible fires in California that year. I’ve heard it’s affected some wines. Happy to report no smoke in this one. I did get the aroma of black cherries and something spicy, perhaps a bit of clove? A pleasant nose, typical of a Cab.
This wine is darker than I expected. I can never figure out how to embed pictures here, sorry about that. This is a nice crimson, and after a swirl you can see the legs.
My first impression upon trying a sip, this is great. A full bodied Cabernet with cranberries, bramble and a bit of spice on the tongue. It’s dry, but has a great mouthfeel from the tannins. As I enjoyed the glass, I tried to pick out some other fruits but I could not elaborate on the previously mentioned cranberries and bramble. But what I did get was a bit of espresso on the long finish. I really enjoyed the tannins and silky mouthfeel in this wine, I think the winemaker did a great job balancing the fruit, the spice and the tannins in this one.
This would be a great table wine for the summer or fall.
We had it with some reverse seared Rib Eye, twice baked potatoes and sauteed broccoli rabe. I think the smoothness of this wine makes it more versatile than a typical Cab. I’d say it would go with something as light as pizza or BBQ chicken.
Probably more of a drink now than put it up kind of wine.
At this price, you can’t go wrong. Checking my available space and if I have room I’m in for a case.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2020 Lo Lo Wine Co. Cabernet Sauvignon - $55 = 33.33%
Going by the Rattage, I’ll do a case as Autumn is coming and it’s nice to have a Cab by the grill and firepit.
/giphy rigid-naked-hummingbird
Happy Wednesday…Beverage Tasting Institute / tastings.com had this to say:
88 points. Silver Medal. Highly Recommended
Garnet color. Aroma of eucalyptus with a medium-to-full body and a medium-to-long black cherry, shishito pepper, smoked paprika, and american spirit tobaccotar finish. A complex, slightly herbal, layered old world meets new world Cabernet. Enjoy in 3-6 years. 3/29/22
Wine Enthusiast chimed in on 11/01/22:
86 points. This solid, straightforward wine is full bodied, moderately tannic and offers good black-fruit flavors. — Jim Gordon
A couple mentions that the fruit is Beckstoffer Vineyard owned including from the wine project (retailer) https://www.gtwineproject.com/
“About the Producer:
2020 was a difficult year for California Cabernet. Smoke from a particularly hash wildfire season rendered the fruit from most Northern California vineyards unusable. Even the most resourceful winemakers found themselves unable to make quality Cabernet that year.
However, hidden in the Red Hills region of Lake County, just north of Napa Valley, lies a prime vineyard owned by legendary winegrower Andy Beckstoffer. It’s a unicorn of a vineyard that remained smoke free. Sommelier-turned-importer Ian Davies happened to know the Beckstoffers from his restaurant days and couldn’t believe his luck when Andy agreed to sell him some fruit from the vineyard.Ian reached out to longtime Sonoma winemaker Dawne Sacchetti and she crafted one of the tastiest Northern California Cabernets you’ll see in the 2020 vintage.”
fwiw
@kaolis Now that I read that eucalyptus on nose comment, I agree. I couldn’t quite place what I was smelling, I’d say fresh eucalyptus is more accurate than the cloves I was guessing at.
@GatorFL Maybe it was the “hash” (sic) wildfire that gives this wine a twist…so to speak
Based on GatorFL recommendation, one more case for Florida!!!
/giphy beastly-unequal-cucumber
@coynedj @cynthylee @CruelMelody
@Jeanhp3 @Heyjude1 @ampeloquin22
@TJDoering @jermarley @adrianafitz
@carl669 @takethefarm @pete0744
@chrisnord @PRH2 @dmischke99
@andrewbrion
Is anyone in the Twin Cities area interested in splitting a case?
@kawichris650 Not me - I have soooo many cabs that I need to work my way through.
Anyone near Indy want to split?
This offer is cracking me up!
Got home from work and checked, we are full but not full enough to pass on this.
/giphy ratty-hazardous-manatee
Possibility of more cases?
@gtcharlie Glad I ordered last night.
@gtcharlie more cases just added
/showme a case of empty wine bottles
10:20 am and cases old out already?!?
Will you put up more cases? I got 4pk but would prefer a case (upgrade?)
@outdoorslife This is the second day of sales for this wine.
@outdoorslife @toddlamp
It’s not Friday yet?
@outdoorslife more cases just added - check with customer service
Broke my heart to only buy 4 but what are you gonna do?
@HOUSTONHOARDER
buy 2x4?
@HOUSTONHOARDER Did you see that more cases are available?
@toddlamp Thanks for the heads up, will catch the next one
Gosh that sold out fast. Guys, keep your eye out for this winemaker. This was great to rat, looking forward to enjoying more.
So this was a SO, but got restocked and didn’t; just for the record.
Ummm…not a buyer but looks like 4 packs and 12 packs are reloaded unless a glitch on my end, but both show available and able to put both options in my cart
@kaolis yes, more inventory added
I think I just hit Buy because I wanted to see if it was really sold out, but I’m actually happy to see that the order went through (confetti and all!), so UPS will be making a few visits in the next few weeks.
Woohoo! Restocked and I now have a case ordered!
Enjoyed my first bottle of this last night. My buddy and I both agreed with the notes of cranberry, nice tannins with a great finish. Since these are screw on bottles I am planning to drink these within the year.
Is anyone planning to cellar these? If so why?
@HOUSTONHOARDER Mise well include what I cooked with it. Wagyu cheese burgers with brioche buns (national cheeseburger day). Appetizer was Jalapeno sausage and ribs. Caesar salad as the only side.
Heck of a meal.
I just poured my first glass after receiving yesterday. If this was a blind taste, I’d think it was a Napa valley Coombsville cab with a small percentage of cab franc. Really enjoying this. At list price, I’d buy a case again