Aperture
Devil Proof
Rockpile Ridge Red Blend 2015
First time trying these Malbecs from Jesse Katz and Devil Proof. Thanks Lauren for cracking these for us! Lush purplish red that completely coats the glass. Rich and dark on the nose with spices, dark cocoa, a bit smoky, mocha and black cassis. Heavy smooth tannins (8/10) and full bodied. Love the texture on the palate with layers of lush dark blackberries, blueberries, cassis, sweet spices and a bit spicy too. Long finish. Drink till 2038.
Wow. This is the best Malbec we have ever had from the United States and possibly even from any other wine region. Excellent work Jesse! This is made up of 100% Malbec from the Rockpile Ridge vineyard which is managed by the Mauritson Family and dry farmed. It is aged in 100% new French oak barrels and comes from an elevation of 1,100 feet.
First stop (Aperture Cellars and Devil Proof Vineyards) on our very first trip to Sonoma, and we were not dissappointed. The wines made by Jesse Katz have a ton of finesse, power and character, but the wines under his Devil Proof Label are at another level. Definitely a Malbec that needs to be on any wine collector's radar. The photo for the label was taken by Andy Katz, Jesse's father, back when he was commissed by the Cuban Government to take photos of their way of life. We love the saying for the label "Live well, drink well, and the devil can't get you". We do not know about you but we will follow her lead and hopefully become a little bit Devil Proof. — 7 years ago
The Setting
Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Inaugural vintage of a brand new winery with Jesse Katz as their winemaker.
Super dark and deep purplish red. Extracted nose with gunpowder, coconut, cassis and dark cocoa. Just a baby and wound pretty tightly. Medium plus (7/10) and medium plus to full bodied. Silky mouthfeel with dark coca, graphite, blueberries and crushed purple flowers. Don’t forget the lingering minerality. Solid potential needs a year or so to develop. Drink from 2019 till 2029.
The Setting Wines is a new winery with wines made by Jesse Katz of Aperture Cellars and Devil Proof. This is the maiden vintage of their Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon which comes from the SJ Vineyard in the south eastern corner of Alexander Valley directly next to Verite. Made up of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged in 70% new French oak barrels for 20 months with the use of three cooperages (Bel Air, Gamba, Taransaud). Only 500 cases produced or 20 barrels.
$$$ - Sample provided by the winery. Release price is $85.00. (91+)
— 7 years ago
Rodney Strong Vineyards
Knotty Vines Northern Sonoma Zinfandel 2012
This is a great value Zin that makes me realise I don't drink enough of the stuff. There's an immediate hit of vanilla on the nose, though not overpowering, followed by coffee and spices. On the palate, the balance between acidity and ripe fruit is impeccable and exemplary of a truly well-crafted Zinfandel. This is a grape that's hard to master, and Rodney's nailed it here. The finish is long, preceded by sumptuous notes of toffee, orange zest and cocoa. At four years of age, the tannins are performing exceptionally (I write this on the second day of opening) and, though I wouldn't say this is one for the cellar, it's a wine that is very enjoyable now.
Also worthy of note is that, last night, I drank this from a Riedel Veritas Cabernet/Merlot glass, and tonight from a Riesling/Zinfandel glass from the same range. Credit to Riedel: the wine is showing immeasurably better tonight, from a glass whose aperture is far tighter; the influence on the wine is unquestionable. #california #californiaclassic #zintastic #zinfadel #zincredible #redwine #sonomaorbust #sonoma @riedel — 9 years ago
Aperture
Unlikely Native Pinot Noir
@Delectable Wine this is the Aperture Cellars Unlikely Native Pinot Noir.
First stop on our very first trip to Sonoma, and we were not dissappointed. The wines made by Jesse Katz have a ton of finesse, power and character. Definitely a winery for any wine lover or collector to have on their radar. Stay tuned for some exciting new wines coming out in the 2017 vintage, possibly an old vine Zinfandel. Also a must visit for art and photography lovers.
Sneak peak at this small production Pinot Noir from Jesse Katz and Aperture Cellars made for a restaurant in Boulder, Colorado. Thanks Lauren for cracking this for us! Medium ruby red. Powerful nose with roses, raspberries, jasmine, twigs and some deeper floral notes. Quite a bit of tannins in the front of the palate (7/10) and medium bodied. Balanced acidity with jasmine and raspberries on the palate followed up by light strawberries and a touch of leather underneath. Lingering finish. Drink till 2025. $$
This is the inaugural vintage for this Pinot Noir from the Dry Stack Vineyard in Bennett Valley. It is made exclusively for the Jax Fish House in Boulder, Colorado where Jesse was born. — 7 years ago
The Setting
Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Inaugural vintage of a brand new winery with Jesse Katz as their winemaker.
Light greenish yellow showing its youth. Complex nose layered with honeysuckle, stone fruits, lychee, melon, acacia, nectarine and white peaches. A touch fizzy on the attack of the palate with medium plus acidity (7/10) and medium plus bodied. Love the texture on this Sauvignon Blanc, rich and silky as well as being well balanced. Notes of ripe tropical and stone fruits, melon, peach, kiwi and a touch creamy. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2023.
The Setting Wines is a new winery with wines made by Jesse Katz of Aperture Cellars and Devil Proof. This is the maiden vintage of their Barrel Fermented Sauvignon which comes from the Grandma's Block Vineyard in the Dry Creek Valley AVA. This vineyard is owned by the Mauritson Family and is planted with a mix of Sauvignon Blanc clones, specifically for this bottling is the Musqué clone which adds to the strength of the aromas as well as weight on the palate. This bottling is made up of 100% Sauvignon Blanc and aged in an interesting oaking program. Which is as follows: 10% custom Haut-Brion toasted new French oak with acacia barrel heads, 30% new Francois Freres medium and light toast and 60% once used French oak. Only 94 cases produced or 4 barrels. One of our favorite Sauvignon Blancs to date.
$$ - Sample provided by the winery. Release price is $38.00. — 7 years ago
Aperture
Alexander Valley Proprietary Red 2011
2011 Aperture Proprietary Red, Alexander Valley. A stunner from a very hard year. Herbal and cherry notes hit tobacco and a hint of espresso. — 10 years ago
Devil Proof
Farrow Ranch Malbec 2015
First time trying these Malbecs from Jesse Katz and Devil Proof. Thanks Lauren for cracking these for us! Dark purplish red with some garnet too. Loads of spices on the nose intermixed with red berries and some blue fruit. Medium plus tannins (7.5/10) and full body. Rich and a touch dry on the palate with layers of black currants, dirt, herbs, black dried fruits, bark and almost a touch of cola. A bit spicy too leading into the long finish. Drink till 2036. (93+)
Wow. This is the second best Malbec, just bet out by its new younger sibling - the Rockpile Ridge. This is made up of 100% Malbec from a single block (Block #17) on the Farrow Ranch vineyard which was planted back in 2002 with Clone 4 and Clone 595 Malbec. It is aged in 100% new French oak barrels similar to the Rockpile Ridge.
First stop (Aperture Cellars and Devil Proof Vineyards) on our very first trip to Sonoma, and we were not dissappointed. The wines made by Jesse Katz have a ton of finesse, power and character, but the wines under his Devil Proof Label are at another level. Definitely a Malbec that needs to be on any wine collector's radar. The photo for the label was taken by Andy Katz, Jesse's father, back when he was commissed by the Cuban Government to take photos of their way of life. We love the saying for the label "Live well, drink well, and the devil can't get you". We do not know about you but we will follow her lead and hopefully become a little bit Devil Proof. — 7 years ago
Aesthete
Dry Stack Vineyard White Blend 2016
Inaugural vintage of a brand new winery with Jesse Katz as their winemaker.
Medium pale yellow with a touch of green. Layered nose with white blossoms, creme brulee, honeyed melon and stone fruits. Medium plus acidity (6.5/10) and medium plus bodied. Lovely complexity on the palate with notes of stone and tropical fruits, a touch creamy, and light baking spices. Long and lingering finish.
Aesthete Wines is a new winery with wines made by Jesse Katz of Aperture Cellars and Devil Proof. This is the maiden vintage of their Proprietary White which comes from the Dry Stack Vineyard in Bennett Valley. This vineyard was accquired by one of the owners, Jeff Jones during the begining of his unplanned journey with his brother Peter Jones. Both are owners of Aesthete Wines. This bottling is made up of 100% Sauvignon Blanc and aged in an interesting oaking program. Which is as follows: "These French Oak barrels (Haut Brion Blanc barrels) that have acacia barrel heads with a very particular toast represent 10% of the oak in this wine with another 40% being new Francois Freres medium and light toast as well as 50% once used French oak." Only 200 cases produced. Excellent Sauvignon Blanc.
$$ - Sample provided by winery. Release price is $55.00. — 7 years ago
Aperture
Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
This wasn’t publicly released so very surprised to find in South Africa.
Deep garnet red with a touch of ruby. Dark fruits on the nose but aged as well with notes of anise, spices, a little floral and damp forest floor. Chewy tannins (6/10) and medium bodied. Tons of licorice on the palate with dark plums as well as notes of sweet spices, gravel, dusty, floral and blueberries. Medium plus finish. Drink till 2019. — 7 years ago
Herdade do Esporão
Assobio Douro Touriga Nacional Blend 2011
Beautiful young Beaujolais type ruby red, brilliant, and slight opaque brickish rim. Quite abundant and pleasant nose of bouquet of flower, lilac, grape bubble gum, and second tear tree bark and smokeyness. Certainly this wine has an amazing aperture in mouth. Enters fairly tame, but explodes on a rainbow of sensational flavors. Very worthwhile structure and remarkable acidity. Balance between structure and its fruity character is also remarkable. Finishes beautifully and long. Not as much as 94 pts but 92 pts. — 11 years ago
Travis White
What a wonderful wine from Jesse Katz at Aperture. Well balanced, long on the nose, smooth on the finish. — 7 years ago