MOTTO "BACKBONE"
CABERNET SAUVIGNON • CALIFORNIA
"The backbone of flavor: a bold, dark-profile Cabernet Sauvignon, breaking with Californian tradition to offer rich texture and uncompromising fruit concentration."
Californian Audacity
Motto Wines redefines the California standard with its Backbone label. This wine is not a conventional Cabernet; it's a solid structure reinforced with Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah to achieve extraordinary color depth and mouthfeel density. It is a red wine designed for those seeking power, darkness, and velvety smoothness in every sip.
1. Identity Profile
Winery: Motto Wines (Ste. Michelle Wine Estates)
Origin: California, USA
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Petite Sirah
Aging: Selection of French and American oak barrels
Alcohol Content: Approximately 14.2% ABV
Presentation: 750 ml
SKU: MOTTO-BACKBONE-CS-750
2. Sommelier's Notes
Appearance: Deep, almost impenetrable ruby red. A black core denoting its great extraction.
Nose: Intense aromas of plum jam, ripe blackberries, and currants, intertwined with notes of dark chocolate, vanilla, and toasted spices.
Palate: Robust and expansive entry. Ripe fruit dominates the palate, supported by firm yet polished tannins that leave a sensation of cocoa and spicy persistence.
3. Style Analysis
4. Pairing and Occasion
Grill and Smoked Meats: The ultimate companion for BBQ ribs, grilled ribeye, or coffee-crusted cuts of meat.
Urban Cuisine: Signature burgers with blue cheese, caramelized bacon, or pulled pork.
Mexican Accent: Extraordinary with pork adobos, cuts with smoked chili sauces (like chipotle), or premium beef birria.
Serving: Serve at 18°C (64°F). Its robustness benefits from 15 minutes of aeration.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What grape varieties does Motto Backbone contain?
It is a Cabernet Sauvignon enriched with Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah, which gives it its characteristic firm structure and deep dark color.
What is the ideal pairing for this Californian Cabernet?
Thanks to its robustness, it pairs perfectly with BBQ ribs, gourmet burgers with blue cheese, and cuts of meat with smoked chili sauces.
Why is it called "Backbone"?
The name refers to the wine's solid, firm structure, which serves as a base to support the intense fruit flavors of California.
Is it a sweet or dry wine?
It is a dry wine, although its high concentration of ripe fruit and vanilla notes from the oak can give a very pleasant "fruity sweetness" perception on the palate.