7 Cellars Farm Collection Cabernet Sauvignon is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, California, bottled at 13.9% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 89 points, a Silver Medal, and a Best Buy designation from Tastings.com on the 2020 vintage, this bottling is a collaboration between NFL Hall of Famer John Elway and winemaker Rob Mondavi Jr. that consistently punches above its weight class in the value Cab segment.Quick Facts: ABV: 13.9% | Origin: Paso Robles, California | 100% Cabernet Sauvignon | Winemaker: Rob Mondavi Jr. / Isa Frias (recent vintages)Production & Heritage7 Cellars was founded as a partnership between John Elway and Rob Mondavi Jr., drawing on the Mondavi family's deep California winemaking legacy. The Farm Collection takes its name from Stanford University — nicknamed "The Farm" — Elway's alma mater. Sourced from Paso Robles, a region celebrated for warm days, cool nights, and calcareous soils ideal for producing structured Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine sees oak influence that lends subtle vanilla and mocha tones without overwhelming the fruit. Recent vintages have been produced under the OneHope winemaking team led by Isa Frias. Notably, every bottle sold supports Team Rubicon, a nonprofit that trains and deploys U.S. military veterans for disaster relief missions worldwide.Tasting NotesAroma: The nose opens with ripe black cherry and cola, followed by vanilla, dried herbs, and a subtle leather quality. A backdrop of dark berry — raspberry and blackberry — gives the bouquet depth and warmth.Taste: On entry, deep blue and black fruit flavors dominate — blueberry, blackberry, and black cherry — before warm spice and anise emerge at the mid-palate. The mouthfeel is medium to full-bodied with a satiny, bone-dry profile. Integrated tannins provide structure without aggression, while mocha and a restrained oak presence keep the palate layered and engaging.Finish: Medium in length, the finish is velvety and smooth, trailing off with black currant, mocha, and earthy, woody tannin notes. A faint echo of blueberry syrup lingers beneath the dry, clean close.How to Drink Farm Collection Cabernet SauvignonPour at 60–65°F and let the wine breathe for 15–20 minutes to open the spice and fruit layers; a standard Bordeaux-shaped glass will concentrate the aromatics. This Cab also works well in wine-forward mixed drinks: a Cabernet Sangria with sliced stone fruit and cinnamon plays off the wine's existing spice notes; a New York Sour (bourbon, lemon, floated red wine) benefits from the deep color and tannic backbone; and a simple Red Wine Spritzer with sparkling water and an orange twist makes a lighter warm-weather pour.Best For Weeknight dinners where you want a serious Cab without a serious price tag Gifting a wine lover who appreciates the Mondavi winemaking pedigree Stocking a home bar for casual entertaining or grilling season Supporting veterans — each purchase funds Team Rubicon disaster relief efforts Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Farm Collection Cabernet Sauvignon taste like? It is a medium to full-bodied, bone-dry Cabernet driven by black cherry, blackberry, and blueberry fruit, layered with warm spice, anise, leather, and mocha. Tannins are well-integrated, and the finish is velvety with earthy undertones.How does Farm Collection Cab compare to Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon? Both sit in the value-friendly California Cabernet tier, but Farm Collection sources exclusively from Paso Robles, while Josh Cellars draws fruit from multiple California appellations. The Paso Robles focus gives the Farm Collection a slightly riper, spicier profile with more pronounced dark berry concentration.Is Farm Collection Cabernet Sauvignon good for beginners? Yes — its integrated tannins, approachable fruit-forward character, and competitive price point make it an accessible introduction to Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon without sacrificing complexity.Where is Farm Collection Cabernet Sauvignon made? It is produced in Paso Robles, a major AVA on California's Central Coast known for its limestone-rich soils and significant diurnal temperature swings, conditions that help Cabernet Sauvignon develop ripe fruit and balanced acidity.What foods pair well with Farm Collection Cabernet Sauvignon? Grilled ribeye steak complements the wine's tannic structure; braised short ribs echo its dark fruit and spice; aged cheddar mirrors the earthy, mocha tones; roasted portobello mushrooms play off the leather and anise notes; and dark chocolate amplifies the black cherry and mocha finish.What sizes does Farm Collection Cabernet Sauvignon come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.Is Farm Collection Cabernet Sauvignon worth the price? Positioned firmly in the value tier, this wine earned a Best Buy designation from Tastings.com alongside its 89-point score and Silver Medal — strong indicators that it over-delivers relative to its price category.Why Farm Collection Cabernet Sauvignon?The combination of Rob Mondavi Jr.'s winemaking expertise and 100% Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon fruit gives this bottle a pedigree that belies its entry-level positioning. An 89-point score, Silver Medal, and Best Buy recognition from Tastings.com confirm what the glass suggests: this is a well-made, generously flavored Cab at a price that invites everyday drinking. The charitable tie to Team Rubicon adds a tangible, real-world purpose behind every bottle. For anyone seeking a dark-fruited, spice-driven Paso Robles Cabernet that doesn't demand a premium-tier budget, the Farm Collection stands as one of the more compelling options on the shelf.
