Newman's Own Cabernet Sauvignon

Newman's Own Cabernet Sauvignon is a California red wine blending 88% Cabernet Sauvignon with 12% Petite Sirah, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2016 vintage earned 92 points from Wine Review Online, and the wine took a Platinum Award at the 2018 Monterey International Wine Competition — notable recognition for a bottle positioned squarely in the everyday-drinking tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: California, USA  |  Varietal Blend: 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petite Sirah  |  Producer: Rebel Wine Company, St. Helena, CA

Production & Heritage

Newman's Own wines are produced by Rebel Wine Company, based in St. Helena in the heart of Napa Valley. Fruit is sourced from across California's premium growing regions, including vineyards in Napa, Sonoma, San Luis Obispo, and Lodi. The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks to preserve primary fruit character, then aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels, which contribute structure and spice without overwhelming the fruit. The 12% Petite Sirah component adds color depth and tannic backbone that straight varietal California Cabs at this price point often lack. All profits from every bottle go to Newman's Own Foundation, which has donated over $370 million to charitable causes worldwide.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe dark berries and dried black cherry lead the nose, followed by subtle violet florals and a thread of vanilla spice. A gentle toast from oak aging rounds out the bouquet.

Taste: The entry is full-bodied and fleshy, with concentrated cherry and mixed berry fruit across the mid-palate. Black pepper, leathery spice, and herbal undertones emerge as the wine opens, supported by toasty sweet oak and a medium-weight tannic frame from the Petite Sirah component.

Finish: Long and lingering with dried black cherry and vanilla spice trailing off gradually. The oak influence stays balanced, leaving a warm, clean close without excessive bitterness.

How to Drink Newman's Own Cab

This Cabernet drinks well at room temperature or slightly below, around 60–65°F. A few minutes of breathing after opening helps the fruit and oak integrate further. For cocktails and mixed drinks: a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola over ice) works thanks to the wine's robust fruit and moderate tannins; a New York Sour benefits from the dark berry backbone and oak spice layered beneath a whiskey base; and a classic Red Wine Sangria plays to the cherry and vanilla character, pairing naturally with citrus and brandy.

Best For

• Weeknight dinner pairings with grilled meats or hearty pasta
• Stocking an everyday house red that over-delivers on quality
• Choosing a wine purchase where 100% of profits support charitable causes
• Introducing newer wine drinkers to full-bodied California Cabernet

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Newman's Own Cab taste like? It delivers a full-bodied, fruit-forward profile dominated by ripe berries, dried black cherry, and vanilla spice, with secondary notes of black pepper, leather, and toasty oak from French and American barrel aging.

How does Newman's Own Cab compare to Woodbridge Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are value-tier California Cabernets, but Newman's Own blends in 12% Petite Sirah, which adds darker color, firmer tannins, and a slightly more robust body than Woodbridge's straightforward, softer varietal style. Newman's Own also directs all profits to charity through Newman's Own Foundation, a distinction no major competitor matches.

Is Newman's Own Cab good for beginners? Yes — the ripe fruit character and smooth oak aging make it approachable for those new to Cabernet Sauvignon, while the Petite Sirah component provides enough structure to keep experienced drinkers engaged.

Where is Newman's Own Cab made? It is produced by Rebel Wine Company in St. Helena, California, using fruit sourced from vineyards across Napa, Sonoma, San Luis Obispo, and Lodi.

What foods pair well with Newman's Own Cab? Grilled ribeye steak complements the wine's tannic structure and dark fruit; slow-braised short ribs echo its leathery spice; aged cheddar mirrors the oak-driven vanilla; mushroom risotto aligns with the earthy, herbal undertones; and dark chocolate desserts play off the dried cherry finish.

What sizes does Newman's Own Cab come in? The standard offering is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Newman's Own Cab worth the price? It positions as an entry-level California Cabernet that consistently punches above its weight — the Platinum medal at the Monterey International Wine Competition and 92-point score from Wine Review Online suggest quality well beyond what the value tier typically delivers.

Why Newman's Own Cab?

The blending of 12% Petite Sirah into a budget California Cabernet is an uncommon move that gives this wine a darker, more structured personality than most peers at similar pricing. Competition-level recognition — including a Platinum from the 2018 Monterey International Wine Competition — validates the quality behind the familiar label. Rebel Wine Company's access to fruit from both inland Lodi and coastal appellations like Sonoma and San Luis Obispo allows a balance of ripeness and complexity that single-source value wines rarely achieve. Add the fact that every dollar of profit funds Newman's Own Foundation, and the bottle carries a purpose that extends well beyond the glass.