Jan de Weerd

9.4

Super balanced, full bodied, full flavor wine from South Africa made from grapes grown in some of the oldest soils in world. Soils that have never been impacted by volcanos, floods or rivers, date back millions years old. The winemaker is capturing the character of these soils by making a Bordeaux style wine. In this case a “Right bank style” where, just in this vintage a good portion of the Merlot was actually replace by Malbec, interestingly. Polished tannins in full harmony with the dark fruit flavors give it great precision and a soothing finish. — a year ago

with Tammy

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. — 6 years ago

with India

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The nose reveals; sweet vanillin, ripe, blackberries, dark cherries, floral blueberries, creamy, blackberries & black plum skin. Black licorice notes, granitic soils, light tobacco leaf, dry stone, light fresh herb notes, dry brush, soft leather with fresh red/blue and violet flowers.

The entry is ripe and juicy and evolves into big, dry, powdery tannins with deep, dark spice that sets on the palate with heat. Ripe, blackberries, dark cherries, floral blueberries, creamy, blackberries, black & plum skin. Black licorice notes, vanillin, granitic soils, light tobacco leaf, dry stone, light fresh herb notes, dry brush, soft leather with fresh red/blue and violet flowers. The acidity is like rainfall. The elegant, ripe, lush, polished, well balanced finish is delicious. Very luxurious mouthfeel.

Photos of; their vineyard during harvest, the granite soil structure of their vineyard, Our host, Sophia Hawkins and their Cellar Door facilities. — 5 years ago

Juha Loponen

9.1

Kevyesti puuterimaista tammea, boysenmarjaa, nahkaa, savua ja lyijykynää. Viini räjähtää kompleksina kokonaisuutena suussa. Maku kantaa erittäin pitkään ja puristaa suuta hienostuneesti. — 7 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

This wine comes from their young vines according to Sophia Hawkins who does their sales & marketing. She also mentioned this vineyards’s soil structure is also the oldest recorded on the planet. Please note, “Recorded”.

The nose shows, freshness, opulence & has sex appeal. Fruits are; ripe, lush, slightly candied and quite floral. Mixed red & dark berries. Blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, dark cherries and ripe juice strawberries. Red fruit liqueur & cola, vanilla, sweet, medium intensity, dark spice, tobacco with ash, dark, rich soils, soft alluvial soil with bright, red, dark, blue & violet florals.

The body is round, full lush and elegant. The firm, meaty, dark, tarry, chewy tannins. For vines so young, the fruit is amazingly ripe & delicious. The florals are straight up beautiful. Blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, dark cherries and ripe juice strawberries. Red fruit liqueur & cola, vanilla, sweet, medium intensity, dark spice, herbaceous notes, tobacco with ash, dark, rich soils, soft alluvial soil, dark crushed rocks, dark penetrating minerals with bright, red, dark, blue & violet florals. The acidity is near perfect. The long finish starts; ripe, juicy and on the long set brings the dry stone minerals. While this drinks beautifully now, wait for even better things in five years. 92 now with a chance of a couple more points.

I really enjoyed their wines quite a lot. Both the noses and palates.

Photos of; their vineyard during harvest, the granite soil structure of their vineyard, Our host, Sophia Hawkins and their Cellar Door facilities. — 5 years ago

Christy Canterbury MW

Master of Wine

9.7

V possibly the most exciting #Bordeaux blend I've ever tasted from #SouthAfrica via @vilafonte @bollewbroadbent — 10 years ago