96pts Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate

I tasted the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon in October, not long after it was bottled in August. Grapes were harvested October 5 through November 3. It was blended with 3% Malbec, 1% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot and matured for 18 months in 55% new French oak barrels plus 10% concrete—a new aging vessel Aperture has started experimenting with. It has slowly unfurling scents of cassis, black cherry, dark chocolate, cast iron and floral hints. The full-bodied palate is impressively concentrated without over-ripeness, and its flavors are rich yet minerally. It has an haut couture frame of powdery tannins and refreshing acidity and a very long, elegant finish. It should be very long lived in the cellar.

Winemaker Notes

Focusing first on the Cabernet fruit from our mineral-rich, volcanic soil sites nestled on the hillside slopes in the Alexander Valley. This vintage’s blend is uniquely crafted with delicate inclusions of Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and a small hint of Merlot and Petit Verdot showcasing intense black fruits enriched with lengthy velvety tannins.

While the significant wildfire challenges of this vintage did not allow us to produce our entire portfolio of wines, the wines we were able to put to bottle were done so with complete confidence and a renewed sense of awe for the delicate balance between unpredictable nature and precise science that our craft is rooted in. We are proud to share this flawless cabernet sauvignon blend with you now. 

Blend: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec, 1% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot