Aperture Bordeaux Blend 2022
(Alexander Valley, California) - [WE 97] [IWR 95] [JD 94] [DM 94] [WA 93]

About the Winery:
Founded in 2009 by first-generation winemaker Jesse Katz, Aperture was born from a desire to craft California wines with the elegance and structure of the best Bordeaux estates. Katz—who previously worked at legendary estates like Pétrus and Screaming Eagle—focuses on cool-climate, high-elevation vineyards that bring out vibrant acidity and silky, refined tannins.

Aperture Cellars is so-named because the company is a collaboration with his father, Andy Katz, a professional photographer (an “aperture” is the opening in a lens through which light passes into a camera; it’s Andy’s photography on all the labels.) At Aperture, the wines shed light on what Bordeaux varieties in the cooler pockets of Sonoma are capable of. Warm, sunny days and brisk nights ensure that every bottle bursts with freshness, no matter how generous the fruit. None other than Wine Spectator has described our wines as “plump, intense and juicy” while remaining “clean and complex.”

Notes from the Winemaker:
All of our fruit is hand harvested and brought into the winery within hours of being picked. Everything is methodically and obsessively sorted. A cold soak of 4-7 days with minimal air incorporation starts the extraction and then cool fermentations with native yeast carry out the remaining. Air and temperature are controlled throughout the 14-28 day fermentation and extended maceration is determined lot by lot when I walk the fine line of full extraction but still keep an elegant and silky texture. Wines go through malolactic fermentation in barrel and are aged (sur-lees) for 18 months. Bottled unfined, unfiltered, and un-acidified.

For this vintage, we crafted a distinct Bordeaux blend, composed primarily of merlot and malbec, with almost equal inclusions of cabernet sauvignon, petite verdot, and cabernet franc. The ripe red fruit characters are structured by silky seamless tannins, showcasing an elegant density to the blend.

Technical Information

VINEYARD: This wine is composed of all hillside vineyards which helps to keep berry size down and concentration strong.

APPELLATION
Sonoma County

BLEND   36% Malbec 35% Cabernet Sauvignon 24% Merlot 3% Petit Verdot 2% Cabernet Franc

BARREL PROGRAM
Aged 18 months
45% new oak
60 and 70 gallon French oak barrels

Ratings & Reviews

97 Points - Wine Enthusiast:

This opulent Malbec-forward blend delivers loads of crushed blueberry, black plum, coffee and sage aromas on the nose, while the palate displays hearty tannic structure with lavish acidity and flavors of currant, cassis, shattered granite, dark chocolate and licorice. Rest this in the cellar for a decade or more and grill the biggest steak you can find. *Cellar Selection* (TRC)

95 Points - International Wine Review:
The 2022 Bordeaux Red Blend from Aperture is a meticulously crafted wine composed of 36% Malbec, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, aged for 18 months in 50% new French oak. Its vivid ruby hue with a neon pink rim sets the stage for a beautifully expressive nose, where ripe raspberry and black cherry mingle with hints of crushed violets, damp earth, and a whisper of toasted vanilla. As the wine evolves in the glass, it reveals additional layers of aromatic complexity. On the palate, this medium-bodied blend is both vibrant and refined, showcasing an interplay of fresh red plum, cranberry, and subtle cocoa powder. Silky, finely grained tannins provide an elegant framework, while a lively streak of acidity keeps the wine balanced and energetic. The finish is gracefully extended, offering a harmonious mix of red fruit, delicate florals, and a touch of savory spice.

94 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"A vibrant, layered blend of 36% Malbec, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, and a final 5% of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, this wine brings freshness and perfume to the classic Bordeaux framework. The nose opens with a mix of black and red berries, wet roses, and subtle green undertones that add aromatic tension. On the palate, it’s compact, with dusty tannins and a warm finish that carries notes of spiced cocoa. A wine that feels both youthful and has the structure to evolve. 2025-2035." (Apr 2025)

94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2022 Bordeaux Red Blend is a blend of 36% Malbec, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, and a splash of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. A more saturated red color, it’s pretty and floral with hints of mocha, purple flowers, black raspberries, and red-fruited highlights. The palate is full and ripe, with a plush and well-detailed feel and a long finish. Although it offers more immediate appeal in the vintage, it should have a wide window to show its best over the next 12-15 years. 8,470 cases were produced. 2025-2040." - Audrey Frick (Jul 2025)

93 Points - Wine Advocate:
"The 2022 Bordeaux Red Blend is composed of 36% Malbec, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Matured for 18 months in 50% new French oak, it bursts from the glass with pure red cherry and pomegranate perfume, unfurling nuances of lavender, forest floor and glossy new oak as it opens in the glass. The medium-bodied palate features generous, floral fruit. It’s structured by powdery tannins and juicy acidity and has a long, layered finish. 8,470 cases produced. 2025 - 2040." - Erin Brooks (Dec 2024)