The Wine That Started It All

There are some wines that define a winery. This is ours.

The McGrail Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve was the very first wine we ever made, and its story is the foundation of everything we do today. From that first vintage, this wine captured the heart of our family and our guests, becoming a true symbol of who we are: passionate, family-driven, and deeply rooted in the Livermore Valley.

Every vintage, we remain true to the philosophy that started it all: exceptional estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, meticulous winemaking, extended barrel aging, and our signature “spice rack” approach to oak. The 2023 vintage carries that legacy forward beautifully, combining the richness and structure McGrail Cabernet is known for with remarkable freshness, balance, and elegance.

The Wine

This 100% estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon opens with expressive aromas of ripe red cherry, black cherry, red currant, and cassis, layered with violets, vanilla, and dark chocolate.

Cinnamon, nutmeg, and black pepper mingle with savory notes of thyme, sage, sandalwood, and black tea, adding depth and complexity.

Rich and concentrated on the palate, flavors of cherry, blackberry, cassis, and ripe plum are framed by vibrant acidity and firm, finely textured tannins. Baking spice and dark chocolate emerge as the wine unfolds, carrying through a long, polished finish filled with luscious dark fruit and lingering freshness.

Pair with grilled filet mignon topped with rosemary-garlic butter, red-wine-braised short ribs over creamy polenta, or aged cheddar, smoked Gouda, and rosemary Marcona almonds.

The 2023 Vintage

The 2023 growing season was one of the coolest Livermore Valley had experienced in recent years.

Plentiful winter rainfall replenished the soils and supported healthy vine growth, while cooler temperatures delayed budbreak, bloom, veraison, and ultimately harvest. Unlike warmer vintages, 2023 saw no extreme summer heat events, allowing the Cabernet Sauvignon to ripen slowly and evenly.

Harvest began approximately three weeks later than normal, giving the fruit additional time on the vine to develop flavor, color, and tannin while preserving vibrant natural acidity.

The result is an expressive Cabernet with beautiful concentration, freshness, structure, and balance—a vintage that showcases both the power and elegance of Livermore Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Winemaking Style

Our winemaker’s approach is a little like composing music—and he is a musician, after all. It is a combination of precision, creativity, and knowing how every element works together.

For our Cabernet Reserve, we use what we affectionately call a “spice rack of oak.”

The 2023 Cabernet Reserve was aged in a thoughtfully selected combination of French, American, and Hungarian oak barrels. Each contributes something different to the finished wine: layers of warm baking spice, vanilla, toast, structure, and complexity.

Approximately 70% of the barrels are new, and the wine spends about 32 months in oak, giving the fruit, tannins, and oak ample time to integrate.

The result is a Cabernet that is powerful yet polished, layered and complex, with a long, refined finish.

The Soul of McGrail Vineyards

This is the wine that built our story—the bottle we still open for family dinners, celebrations, milestones, and the moments that matter most.

Our founders, Jim and Ginger McGrail, believed we should make one thing exceptionally well before making anything else.

This is that wine.

The Cabernet Reserve is a reflection of our family, our estate vineyard, and our belief that great wine should bring people together.

If you’ve visited our hilltop estate, joined us for a wine club event, celebrated with us, or simply opened a bottle of McGrail with people you love, you are part of this story.

Consider the Cabernet Reserve your invitation back home to McGrail.

Pair It With Moments That Matter

• Grilled ribeye with rosemary and sea salt

• Filet mignon with rosemary-garlic butter

• Red-wine-braised short ribs

• Sunday pot roast

• Wild mushroom risotto

• A beautiful cheese board with aged cheddar or smoked Gouda

• Family dinners, celebrations, and bottles shared around the table

Limited Estate Release

Only 1,056 cases of the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve were produced.

Handcrafted from our Livermore Valley estate vineyard and aged for nearly three years in barrel, this is a wine built to evolve beautifully in the cellar—but it is equally compelling to enjoy today.

Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Livermore Valley
Vineyard: McGrail Vineyards Estate
Production: 1,056 cases
Oak Aging: Approximately 32 months
Oak: French, American & Hungarian; approximately 70% new
Alcohol: 14.6%
Cellar Potential: 10–15+ years
Price: $49
Availability: Limited estate release

Awards & Accolades

Our Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve has earned exceptional acclaim across vintages:

• 2022 Vintage — 97 Points, Double Gold & Best of Class, Sunset International Wine Competition

• 2022 Vintage — 93 Points & Editors’ Choice, Wine Enthusiast

• 2022 Vintage — Platinum & Reserve Class Champion, Rodeo Austin / Texas International Wine Competition

• 2021 Vintage — Wine Star Award / Top Red Wine of the Competition, Lone Star International Wine Competition

• 2021 Vintage — Double Gold, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

• 2020 Vintage — 97 Points, Double Gold & Best of Class, Sunset International Wine Competition

• 2019 Vintage — Best of Class, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

• 2008 Vintage — Red Wine Sweepstakes Winner, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

One vineyard. One family. One Cabernet that started it all.