Ely by Callaway Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Full-bodied Red Wine. This is a traditional California expression of Cabernet Sauvignon that prioritizes ripeness, accessibility, and a smooth mouthfeel. · Callaway Cellars. While originally founded by Ely Callaway Jr. (who later founded Callaway Golf) in Temecula, the brand evolved into a modern label under the ownership of Crimson Wine Group. It is known for producing approachable, fruit-forward wines that offer a dependable value tier for everyday consumption and restaurant 'by-the-glass' programs.
Vintage: 2019. This vintage in California is widely regarded as excellent and 'classic.' A cool, wet spring delayed the season slightly, leading to a long, steady growing period with moderate summer temperatures. This resulted in wines with great balance, vibrant acidity, and refined tannins compared to the heat-driven 2017 or 2018 vintages.
Type
Full-bodied Red Wine. This is a traditional California expression of Cabernet Sauvignon that prioritizes ripeness, accessibility, and a smooth mouthfeel.
Producer
Callaway Cellars. While originally founded by Ely Callaway Jr. (who later founded Callaway Golf) in Temecula, the brand evolved into a modern label under the ownership of Crimson Wine Group. It is known for producing approachable, fruit-forward wines that offer a dependable value tier for everyday consumption and restaurant 'by-the-glass' programs.
Country
United States. As the fourth-largest wine producer in the world, the U.S. (led by California) is a powerhouse of New World winemaking, characterized by innovative technology, varietal labeling, and diverse microclimates across its American Viticultural Areas (AVAs).
Vintage
2019. This vintage in California is widely regarded as excellent and 'classic.' A cool, wet spring delayed the season slightly, leading to a long, steady growing period with moderate summer temperatures. This resulted in wines with great balance, vibrant acidity, and refined tannins compared to the heat-driven 2017 or 2018 vintages.
Region & Appellation
Paso Robles AVA, Central Coast, California. Paso Robles is one of California's largest and most diverse AVAs, recognized for its warm climate and ability to produce highly concentrated, ripe, and structured red wines, particularly from the Bordeaux and Rhône families.
Grape Varieties
Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon (typically 75% or higher to meet varietal labeling laws). The wine likely includes small blending portions of Merlot, Petite Sirah, or Petit Verdot to add mid-palate weight, color intensity, and structural complexity.
Color & Appearance
Deep ruby-purple with high saturation. The wine shows a vibrant magenta rim indicating its youth, with moderate to high viscosity (legs) suggesting a healthy alcohol level and concentration of fruit extract.
Aroma Profile
The nose is dominated by primary black fruits including black cherry, blackberry jam, and cassis. Secondary notes from oak influence provide scents of vanilla bean, cocoa powder, and a touch of toasted cedar. There are faint dried herb notes characteristic of the Paso Robles terroir.
Tasting Notes
The palate is plush and welcoming with an immediate attack of ripe dark fruit. The tannins are well-integrated and supple, leading into a mid-palate of chocolate and espresso. The finish is medium-length, characterized by sweet oak spice and lingering dark berry flavors with enough acidity to keep the wine from feeling heavy.
Flavor Profile
Plum, blackcurrant, and boysenberry are the primary fruit flavors. These are layered with chocolate, vanilla cream, and a hint of baking spices (nutmeg, clove) from the barrel program.
Body & Texture
Full-bodied with a velvety, round texture. The mouthfeel is smooth and 'juicy,' lacking the aggressive astringency sometimes found in more expensive, long-aging Cabernets, making it very approachable upon release.
Acidity & Tannins
Medium acidity that provides enough lift to balance the ripe fruit. The tannins are medium-plus in quantity but low in aggression—they are 'fine-grained' and soft, providing structure without being overly grippy.
Sweetness Level
Dry. While it may have a very small amount of residual sugar (common in California's commercial value tier to enhance fruitiness), the wine is classified as dry.
Alcohol Content
Usually ranges between 13.5% and 14.5% ABV. In the 2019 vintage, the alcohol is well-integrated, providing body and warmth without a 'hot' or burning sensation on the finish.
Aging & Oak
Aged in a combination of French and American oak. The American oak contributes the sweeter vanilla and coconut notes, while French oak adds subtle spice and structure. The duration is typically 8–12 months.
Food Pairings
Excellent with grilled meats such as tri-tip (a Central Coast classic), beef sliders with caramelized onions, pepperoni pizza, or hard cheeses like aged cheddar and Gouda.
Serving Suggestions
Serve at slightly below room temperature (around 60-65°F / 16-18°C). While it does not strictly require decanting, 20 minutes of aeration can help the fruit aromas open up. Use a standard Bordeaux glass.
Price Range
Typically $12.00 - $18.00 USD. It represents an excellent value-to-quality ratio, offering a 'premium' feel and regional specificity at an entry-level price point.
Quality Assessment
87-89 points. This is a high-quality 'commercial' wine designed for immediate enjoyment. It is consistent, well-made, and technically sound, successfully representing the warmth and fruit-forward nature of Paso Robles.
Production Methods
Grapes are harvested at high sugar ripeness, fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve fruit integrity, and then moved to oak for malolactic fermentation and aging. Fined and filtered for clarity.
Terroir
Paso Robles features calcareous soils and significant diurnal temperature shifts (hot days and very cool nights). This allows Cabernet grapes to reach full phenolic ripeness while retaining the acidity necessary for balance.
History & Heritage
The 'Ely' brand is a tribute to Ely Callaway Jr., a visionary who proved that premium grapes could be grown in Southern California. Today, the brand serves as a bridge between his legacy and modern California winemaking trends.
Interesting Facts
The founder, Ely Callaway, is more famous globally for the 'Big Bertha' golf driver than for wine, but he was a pioneer in the Southern California wine industry before selling his winery in the early 1980s.
Cellaring Potential
Designed for consumption within 3–5 years of the vintage date. While it will hold for longer, it is at its best while the primary fruit and soft oak spices are vibrant. Drink now through 2025.
Similar Wines
J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon, Daou Discovery Cabernet Sauvignon, Justin Cabernet Sauvignon, or Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon.