Aperture Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County 2021

Jesse Katz is unquestionably a winemaker on a roll, and this newest 96 point cabernet sauvignon from his own Aperture Cellars proves he has no intention of slowing down anytime soon. Under $70 Cali-cabs, with 96 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, with this sort of pedigree and rockstar winemaking don’t stick around for long – especially as we have this remarkable bottling at the lowest price anywhere! Grab yours while it lasts!

Jesse Katz took to wine at a young age and wasted no time building a resume of experience that few could match. With over twenty harvests under his belt, including stints at Chateau Petrus, Haut Brion, Screaming Eagle, Viña Cobos, and more – Jesse has developed a style that is pure luxury and class – and brought his talents to focus on Sonoma, where untapped vineyards with unlimited potential have become his new playground.

Aperture Cellars joins Jesse’s winemaking skills with his father Andy’s photographic artistry – creating a new perspective for California wine in the process. With an estate vineyard in Healdsburg, plus six other vineyard sites in Sonoma and Napa – Aperture’s focus is on cool(-er) climate expressions of Bordeaux varietals. This 2021 cabernet sauvignon hails predominantly from the red volcanic soils on the hillsides of Alexander Valley, where a blend of 85% cabernet sauvignon, 6% petit verdot, 5% merlot, 3% malbec, and 1% cabernet franc was selected. Aged for 18 months in 55% new French oak barrels, this stylish and lush style wine pays a careful homage to Napa, and Bordeaux, while still retaining a sense of self that is quintessentially Sonoma. Aromas of violets and lilacs, and dusty minerals awaken the senses, followed by rich berry notes of black cherries, blueberries, and blackberries. Roasted fennel and hints of cigar box develop on the palate, leading toward a chocolate-y and silky finish that seamlessly unifies the fruit, spice, floral, and mineral elements. This strikes me as a wine that will only get more complex over time, yet it is exceptionally layered and delineated even now. Exciting stuff, to be certain, and a unique opportunity to snare some of these small production wines at the best price anywhere!

PAIRING IDEAS: For me, this is a perfect match with the savory yet fresh sensibilities of a proper beef tartare. Hand-cut cubes of grass-fed steak, lean but not too lean, with an array of flavors – shallots, Dijon, olive oil, plus a dash of Worcestershire and plenty of cracked black pepper and flaky sea salt – it just gets me drooling! Take it to the next level with some smoked bone marrow – that you then freeze solid and grate at the last moment with a micro-plane...and I’ll be quite sure that I have arrived in heaven!