Winemaker Notes
The core of this wine is Cabernet Sauvignon grown on steep, west facing terraces that rise above the winery, reaching a towering elevation of 1,400 feet. Other contiguous vineyard blocks yielding fruit of mature character and balance incorporate a great diversity of soils and exposures, providing additional complexity and unmistakable mountain terroir.
Blend: 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Mountain Estate Vineyard is such a classic Sonoma Cabernet. Intensely floral and savory aromatics are an immediate sign we are in Sonoma and not Napa. Medium in body and lithe, with terrific energy, the 2019 is all focus and all class. Readers will have to be patient, but there is certainly much to look forward to. White pepper, rose petal, mint and chalk add an attractive upper register as the 2019 opens in the glass. Gorgeous.
While Sonoma County is acclaimed—and rightfully so—for its Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, and Zinfandels, it also produces exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. Of the region’s 18 American Viticultural Areas, only a handful produce top-notch Cabernet Sauvignon. These appellations include Alexander Valley, Knights Valley, Sonoma Valley and Dry Creek Valley. Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignons made in these appellations can offer a complex array of aromas and flavors. Fruit notes such as blackberry, blackcurrant, cassis, black cherry and raspberry often are accompanied by hints of graphite, dusty earth, cigar box, toast and vanilla. The varietal has a rich history in Sonoma, and some of these Cabernet Sauvignons and Cabernet-based blends rival the best from Napa Valley.