2015 Ghielmetti Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon - Steven Kent Winery

Tense black currant, eucalyptus, wild mulberry. Fresh blackberry, cool gravel, bittersweet chocolate. Dried violet and star anise, green tobacco and a hint of rosemary. Whole coffee bean and cassis blended with dark berries and a pinch of roasted pepper. Old world restraint at 13.3% ABV showing conspicuous acidity and flawless typicity. This 2015 Ghielmetti Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon by Steven Kent Winery is a left bank ringer from California's Livermore Valley.

Modern California Cabernet Sauvignon is typically known for being overt, sultry, and blatantly ripe. Heavy extraction and plush oaky textures are commonplace, and while there is absolutely nothing wrong with big sexy Cali Cab it is wonderful to find bottles that harken back to the varietals roots. This bottling, crafted by Steven Kent Winery, takes 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Ghielmetti Vineyard in Livermore and forgoes the lipstick and makeup. The natural beauty of the fruit and terroir is allowed to shine through in a wine that is more closely reminiscent of a bottle from Graves than anything Napa puts out these days. The gravelly soils of Livermore have proven perfect for the creation of restrained terroir driven Cabernet and this stuff is certainly worthy of attention and acclaim. Livermore was once a primary hub of high quality California wine production and this stuff proves the artisan spirit has never left.