Red Wine - 2021 Aperture Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

96 Points - Robert Parker Wine Advocate
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon comes from Aperture's estate vineyard in Healdsburg and their newest vineyard acquisition, Farrow Ranch in Alexander Valley, plus some of the original single vineyards in the Aperture program like Oliver Ranch. It is blended with 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 3% Malbec and 1% Cabernet Franc and was matured for 16 months in 55% new French oak. It has vibrant, layered aromas of blueberry compote, lavender, aniseed, milk chocolate and nutmeg with undertones of cast iron and tobacco leaves. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly styled, pairing deep flavors with a weightless feel due to its bright acidity and velvety tannins. It has a long, latent finish and deserves 3-5 years in bottle. 4,480 cases produced.

I was particularly impressed by the lineup of 2021s from winemaker Jesse Katz and associate winemaker Hillary Sjolund, who craft several brands, including Aperture, Devil Proof, Aesthete, The Setting and Valette. The duo’s skills and attention to detail are apparent across brands and varieties, from Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir to Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Fine-tuning of extraction, paired with the cooler vintage, resulted in wines that are surprisingly fresh and light on their feet despite their concentrated flavors, and in general, alcohols are down about half a percent. Drink 2030 - 2045.

White Wine - 2022 DuMOL Wester Reach Russian River Valley Chardonnay

95 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Bright and aromatically compelling on the nose, this Chardonnay vibrates with aromas of green apple, lemon balm, orange blossom and river rock. The palate is energetic, giving flavors of apricot and Meyer lemon peel. A massive streak of acidity rips from front to back." - Tom Capo (Oct 2024)

95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"A bright yellow color, the 2022 Chardonnay Wester Reach is a textbook example of this vintage, with a lot of elegance and a wide drinking window. From the Russian River Valley and aged in 25% new oak barrels for 11 months, it takes on more glycerol richness and a rounded profile. A great wine out of the gate, it captures the sunny feel of the region, but it’s light on its feet and closes with a great finish. This is a crowd-pleaser of a wine, and I would be happy to have this on my table at any stage. Drink 2024-2032." (June 2024)