Hidden Gem: This wine is a beautiful expression of high-elevation Cabernet Franc grown in California. The Red Hills sub-Ava in Lake County has iron-rich soil, translating into complex, fully flavored wines with red berries, dark plum, sweet cigar, and star anise on the nose. The flavors on the palate are high-energy, bright, raspberry, Mulberry, Sage, orange, and vanilla cream, with supple acidity creating a mouth-watering finish.— Tonya Pitts
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2014 Cabernet / 91 points / International Wine Review
Offering an earthy, herbal bouquet with black and red currant notes that carry over to the full bodied palate. There’s good acidity and freshness, nicely concentrated black currant and licorice flavors and well integrated oak. Finishes with fine, round tannins.
2016 Block Three / 94 Pts / Tasting Panel
From the estate’s 18-acre biodynamic mountain vineyard at 2,00o feet elevation, we are constantly in awe of the dynamism of these wines. Starting with rocky, red volcanic soils and aged for 25 months in French oak, this small production red (95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot) offers up violets and iron on the nose. Chalky, dry cocoa-cherrywood tannins produce a thrilling mouthfeel. Muted dried blue flowers and Italian herbs are saturated by black cherry.
2019 Cabernet Franc / 92 points / The Wine Guys
Byjuliek
Notes of blueberry, red cherry, oak spice, plum, cocoa, slight stem and savory herb. The fruit is rich on the palate with a good amount of oak spice and a hint of vanilla notes. Nice lift on the back palate with some brighter, tart red fruit and acidity. Tannins are present but rather easy going. Decant recommended.
2023 Petite Sirah / 94 Points / Tasting Panel
From the winery’s biodynamic-certified estate vineyard reaching elevations as high as 2,200 feet, this is a highly aromatic red with a perfume of chocolate-covered cherry and new leather. On the palate, the grip is firm and dusty, Italian herbs, iron and taut acidity settle atop a mineral base.
2022 Petite Sirah / 92 Points / Wine Enthusiast
This wine has aromas of freshness, ripe dark berries, toasted oak, coriander, brown sugar, and notes of Sandalwood on the nose; the flavors are concentrated, and Black currant confiture, dried marjoram, and Black licorice are interlaced with black tea leaves, green olive, and supple silky dry tannins. Decant and pair with grilled bison burgers.
2017 Cabernet Sauvignon / California Wines & Wineries
The wine on the eyes was a deep purple and red brick in color with a medium viscosity. On the nose aromas waft into the olfactory senses bringing raspberries, blackberries and floral aromatics. On the palate, it opens up to a juicy fruit assortment of black cherry and hint of pipe tobacco. The finish is medium, but intriguing are the soft and rounded tannins for what is smelled as a big bold red wine.