Aperture Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Winemaker Jesse Katz has garnered widespread recognition for his innovative approach and exceptional skill in crafting high-quality wines. He is the founder and winemaker at Aperture Cellars and Devil Proof Vineyards, and has received numerous accolades throughout his career. Katz was the youngest head winemaker in the U.S. and has been featured on Forbes' 30 Under 30 list. His wines have consistently earned critical acclaim, with Devil Proof Malbec being hailed as one of the highest-rated wines of its kind in California. He has also worked with prestigious wineries like Screaming Eagle and has made custom wines for celebrities, cementing his status as one of the top winemakers in the industry.

At Aperture all of the fruit is hand-harvested and brought into the winery within hours of picking. They meticulously and obsessively sort everything before a cold soak of 4-7 days begins the extraction, with minimal air incorporation. Cool fermentations using native yeast then take over. Throughout the 14-28 day fermentation, they control air and temperature, adjusting extended maceration lot by lot as they carefully balance full extraction while maintaining an elegant, silky texture. The wines undergo malolactic fermentation in barrel and age on the lees for 18 months.

96 Points 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.

95 Points Jeb Dunnuck
Pouring a deep red/purple color, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon has the addition of 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 3% Malbec and a splash of Cabernet Franc, all raised in 55% new French oak for 18 months. It’s aromatic of brambly crunchy fruits, with notes of blackberries, resinous herbs, mossy forest earth, and mocha. Full-bodied and light on its feel, with lovely freshness, it offers refined tannins and a good deal of length, with an even spine of acidity to hold up its decadent nature. It is going to be an age-worthy wine to enjoy over the next 15 or so years.

94 Points James Suckling
Ripe berries and cherries with some currant jam as well as a bouquet of fresh flowers. Full-bodied with lots unctuous fruit and layers of tannins that are supple and caressing. Flavorful finish. Fresh, too. For people who want flavor. Drink or hold.

Wine Notes
Focusing first on the Cabernet fruit from our mineral-rich, volcanic soil sites nestled on the hillside slopes in the Alexander Valley. This vintage’s blend is uniquely crafted with delicate inclusions of Petit Verdot and Merlot, and a small hint of Malbec and Cabernet Franc showcasing intense black fruits enriched with lengthy velvety tannins.

85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 3% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Franc.