Medlock Ames Cabernet Sauvignon Special Select Bell Mountain Vineyard Alexander Valley 2023

“The Bell Mountain Special Select is crafted entirely from estate-grown fruit on Bell Mountain in Alexander Valley. Aged for 20 months in 33% new French oak, it is a fantastically savoury red wine—full-bodied and expressive of its rich dark berry fruit character, woven into a fine tapestry of cedarwood spice. On the palate, the tannins are firm and powerful, offering excellent grippy texture. There is real power and tension here. From the exceptional 2023 vintage, the wine reveals increasing complexity with air: loamy earth, crushed fennel seed, dried rose petal, and garrigue emerge, culminating in a long, vivid, and mineral-driven finish.”

“An exciting, fresh and well-balanced wine with an unusually light, agile feel despite its good concentration. So lively in blackberries, raspberries, black cherries, light toast, chocolate and cherries. Good acidity and moderate tannins keep it singing through the finish. Drink now or hold.”