Winemaker Notes
Aromatically the wine is perfumed with ripe blackberries, roasted coffee beans, anise and a hint of freshly grated nutmeg. On the palate the wine has flavors of blackberries, black cherries, and plums over a bold tannic structure.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2022 Rockpile Cabernet Sauvignon Rockpile Ridge Vineyard has dramatically unfurling aromas of brambly fruit, chargrilled meats, forest floor, bay leaves and soy sauce. The full-bodied palate is concentrated yet approachable, balancing layered, spicy flavors with powdery tannins. It’s balanced by bright, mouthwatering acidity and has a long, layered finish. Offer it a couple years in bottle or some time in a decanter.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Pouring a purple/black hue, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Rockpile Ridge Vineyard is introspective and shy to open in the glass before showing mountainous aromas of pine needles, dark stones, black plum, and tobacco. The palate is full and ripe, with chewy tannins and a hearty finish. Drink 2026-2036.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
High elevation vineyards—800 to 2,100 feet—on well-drained soils of red and brown clay loam, gravel and large rock outcroppings produce low yields of intense, high-quality fruit. Surrounded by Northern Sonoma County and overlapping Dry Creek Valley in its northwest corner, the Rockpile AVA produces some of California most powerful Zinfandel, Petit Sirah, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon based wines.