Beta Wine
Maus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Sonoma County, California, USA
Popped and poured; consumed over a 4-day period. Best on Day 3 and 4. Day 1 and 2 were so primary that I didn’t pour myself more than just a small glass. By Day 3 and 4, while still primary, it had uncoiled enough to properly enjoy…and there is a lot to appreciate.
In the glass, the 2019 “Maus Vineyard” pours a deep ruby color with an electric magenta rim; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and signs of some slight sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with concentrated notes of black currants, blackberry pie, tobacco, third wave espresso, a touch of varnish (some VA or EA?) but not overwhelming, and very faint warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium++ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and has remarkable freshness.
Having enjoyed Ketan Mody’s BETA wines for a handful of years, I can say with a high degree of confidence that nobody is making wines like this in Napa/Sonoma. They’re like the singular wines of Tenuta San Leonardo from Trentino Alto Adige but lacking the pyrazines (thanks to the CA ripeness) and yet, this weighs in at a modest 13.4% abv. These wines are special and the best is yet to come. Drink from 2025-2039
Popped and poured; consumed over a 4-day period. Best on Day 3 and 4. Day 1 and 2 were so primary that I didn’t pour myself more than just a small glass. By Day 3 and 4, while still primary, it had uncoiled enough to properly enjoy…and there is a lot to appreciate.
In the glass, the 2019 “Maus Vineyard” pours a deep ruby color with an electric magenta rim; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and signs of some slight sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with concentrated notes of black currants, blackberry pie, tobacco, third wave espresso, a touch of varnish (some VA or EA?) but not overwhelming, and very faint warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium++ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and has remarkable freshness.
Having enjoyed Ketan Mody’s BETA wines for a handful of years, I can say with a high degree of confidence that nobody is making wines like this in Napa/Sonoma. They’re like the singular wines of Tenuta San Leonardo from Trentino Alto Adige but lacking the pyrazines (thanks to the CA ripeness) and yet, this weighs in at a modest 13.4% abv. These wines are special and the best is yet to come. Drink from 2025-2039
Popped and poured; enjoyed over two days with consistent notes. This is my first bottle of the 2018 “Maus” which shares the same clonal material as the fruit from Montecillo but sits about 1000ft below. No formal notes. The overall impression of freshness is unassailable. At this stage, the wine is super duper primary with cassis and tobacco taking a dominant role. There seems to be some fairly good tannin management happening because the effect on the palate is moderate. Acid, on the other hand, is medium++ and there may be a touch of VA; all good though. This is a very light, elegant and natural expression of Cabernet Sauvignon that’s showing a bit green at the moment however, I feel very confident that time will help this flesh out. Patience will be rewarded. Drink from 2025-2038+.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over two days with consistent notes. This is my first bottle of the 2018 “Maus” which shares the same clonal material as the fruit from Montecillo but sits about 1000ft below. No formal notes. The overall impression of freshness is unassailable. At this stage, the wine is super duper primary with cassis and tobacco taking a dominant role. There seems to be some fairly good tannin management happening because the effect on the palate is moderate. Acid, on the other hand, is medium++ and there may be a touch of VA; all good though. This is a very light, elegant and natural expression of Cabernet Sauvignon that’s showing a bit green at the moment however, I feel very confident that time will help this flesh out. Patience will be rewarded. Drink from 2025-2038+.
Feb 17th, 2023