Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.2

Last of the single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon bottlings we tasted at Aperture Cellars with Lauren. Dark purplish ruby red. Ripe red berries on the nose with some spices, perfume and a touch earthy. Medium tannins (7/10) and full bodied. A bit of heat on the palate with some cassis, black cherries and spices. Not as vast as the Del Rio with a touch of dark cocoa. Needs some time to pull itself together. Dry and gravelly long finish. Drink from 2019 till 2030. (92+)

This is made up of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cabernet Franc from the Oliver Ranch Vineyard and cultivated by Phil Freese. Who actually does another one of our favorites - Vilafonté in South Africa.


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. — 8 years ago

with India

Andy Wigginton

9.1

Loads of complexity! Nice boisenberry and cherry along with sambuca (that's right) and brownie, with a suggestion of, perhaps green bean. Tip of the cap to one of Livermore's best. Could go another 2 years... — 8 years ago

Donald Williams

9.1

A lovely Dry Creek Valley Zin. — 9 years ago

with Bonnie

Ash Sinclair

8.9

Last looked at this about 6 months ago. It's not quite as fresh and vibrant now so I suspect it's past it's peak. Still plenty to like though - heaps of brown lime and lemon, with a touch of pistachio and pear, with that signature aged Riesling 'kerosene' note. — 9 years ago

with Megan

Brittany Pierce

9.4

Sweet, not the usual acidity. Awesome black cat bottle! — 10 years ago

Alton Komori

9.6

2005-2/13/16-Great with braised beef and garlic butter mashed potatoes-Complex, fruit forward bouquet, great legs, medium long smooth finish; worth buying again and again; through wine club is best. — 10 years ago

Nick Bowen

9.7

Light sweet fruity aroma. Sweet and fruity. Not overly sweet. Extremely well balanced. Lingering flavor and great body for a white. Would pay $25/bottle. — 8 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.4

@Delectable Wine this is the Aperture Cellars Del Rio Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.

Brand new release (3/6) and inaugural bottling from Aperture Cellars and Jesse Katz.
Super dark purple in appearance. A bit of iron on the nose with notes of black berries, cigar box and baking spices. Heavy tannins (7/10) and full bodied. Rich and voluptuous palate with baking spices, blueberries, cassis, anise and crushed gravel. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2036. (94+)

First time trying these Single Vineyard Cabernets by Jesse Katz and boy were we in for a treat. This is the inaugural bottling of their Del Rio Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon which is made up of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. If aged like the Oliver Ranch Vineyard then it is aged for 20 months in 70% new French oak barrels. This will only improve with age.

$$$ - Sample provided by the winery. Release price is $95.00.

— 8 years ago

with Sean and India

Matt Sterr

9.2

Mostly Cab Sav w/ Cab Franc, Merlot & Petit Verdot. — 9 years ago

Justin Brilman

9.0

Loved the pare and green apple on this, crisp and lean just how I like my white wine. — 9 years ago

Brett Davis

9.3

Crisp bold and flavoursome - always value — 10 years ago

Adam Foster

Beverage Director Sweet Grass Dairy Cheese Shop, Blue Coop Restaurant

9.7

At 30A, thanks to the generosity of Ray Coursen of Elyse. — 10 years ago

Steve Matthiasson

Owner/Winemaker Matthiasson Wines

9.4

Carried this bottle back from Australia in 2003 with the intention of aging it in the Aussie Semillon tradition, and guess what, still going strong. Wildflower honey, fig cake, candle smoke. — 10 years ago

Joe Lucca

9.4

Taste this blind and you will guess Burgundy. The nose, the palate, the color; everything screams burg. Speaking of the nose; foot fetish anyone? ( @Shawn R ) Locker room, wild tart cherry, damp forest floor, roasted lamb juices, and well... women’s shoes 👠 . Savory and meaty. After a couple hours open, this builds some sweetness on the back end; a little Luden’s cherry drop and dried thyme sprigs. Really well made and a true testament to the terroir of this single vineyard. Burgundy lovers need to get their hands on this. — 8 years ago

with Diana

Sean Tennant

9.2

Always good — 8 years ago

Stuart Robinson

9.0

Opens up and metamorphosis takes place: powder fine tannin to boot. — 8 years ago

Daniel Martinez Cardenas

9.0

Schwarze Katz(Black Cat, Gato Negro), I'm drinking this Riesling in honor of my black cat Whiskers(R.I.P.) he was a very special cat and I still remember him fondly. The wine is light and crisp with refreshing fruitiness. www.totalwine.com — 9 years ago

Lauren Buboltz

9.4

Steaks, roasts, rich fruity full body and decadent finish — 9 years ago

Willem Boshoff

8.9

The 05 was excellent. This one less impressive. — 10 years ago

Alan McCullough

9.2

I read the other reviews and was surprised how low it was rated. Maybe it's the 2013 vintage vs the 2012. I found the 2013 delicious and wish I had purchased more when I was there. — 10 years ago