Winemaker Notes
The Mountain Cuvée “Bates Ranch” is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from the historic, four-generation-old Bates Ranch near Mount Madonna, in the southern end of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The Cabernet Sauvignon grows at a peak altitude of 2,100 feet and an extreme southeast slope of 30%. A few hundred feet below, the old-vine Cabernet Franc, planted in 1972, is dry farmed in well-drained silt soils with inclusions of decomposed, iron-rich volcanic magma pushing up from below the earth. The picks of the two vineyards are staggered and then the grapes are co-fermented by native yeasts. The resulting wine is plush yet primal, with enveloping tannins and relentless length, dark fruit and the unmistakable vibrancy of dry-farmed old vines.
Professional Ratings
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Wine & Spirits
Grown in the southern reaches of the Santa Cruz Mountains, this is 79 percent cabernet sauvignon from a parcel that reaches 2,100 feet in altitude, facing southeast. The rest is cabernet franc, from a lower parcel, planted in 1972. Diana Snowden Seysses co-ferments fruit from the two parcels with ambient yeasts and ages the wine for 19 months in American oak barrels. The wine’s forest-infused energy makes it feel dynamic, flowing through a silken texture, the chocolate richness of the oak held at a distance, the rose scent of the fruit and the conifer forest note in the tannins slowly saturating the wine’s elegant frame. Rather than pushing its flavors toward you, this is a wine you have to go to, and I think you’ll be glad you did.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
A rugged and topographically diverse cool-climate appellation with a rich history, the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA stretches from Half Moon Bay, just south of San Francisco, to the northern border of Monterey County. Elevations range from 800 feet to upwards of 3,000 and microclimates vary substantially depending on which side of the mountains the vineyards lie; cool ocean winds and fog play an important role here. This can be a challenging region in which to grow grapes, but it is well worth the effort. Santa Cruz Mountains wines are noted for balanced acidity levels, often showing great aging potential. Wine has been made here since the 1800s, most notably from the legendary Ridge Vineyards, whose Monte Bello vineyard garners international admiration.
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the stars of this region, while Merlot and Zinfandel also perform quite well. Organic and sustainable vineyard practices are becoming increasingly common.