We've been patiently watching the influx of fruit from the ’23 harvest push some incredible ’22s out the back door, and today, our patience has paid off. We've scored a Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from an award-winning program crafted by an acclaimed winemaker, and now for the most important superlative, at an unmatched price!
Lot 446 comes to us from a family-owned house that’s been sustainably farming the area since the mid-90s. They're proud stewards of not just their vines, but the ecosystem they thrive in. The juice is crafted by a winemaker with a stacked CV, including notable stints at Sonoma-Cutrer and Pahlmeyer, and among other accolades, previous vintages of this wine won Double Gold from the SF Chronicle wine competition. Not surprisingly, under its original label, this wine fetches $75/bottle, $900/case before shipping charges.
Our price: $21/bottle.
Just across the county line from Napa’s Calistoga, Knights Valley has the same climate and soil as its more well-known neighbor. Here, the days are warmer than the rest of Sonoma, and it’s generally unaffected by fog. Nights are cooled in the higher elevation, and it boasts well-draining volcanic soils deposited by ancient blasts and lava flows from the now dormant Mount Saint Helena.
Made from 100% estate-grown fruit, Lot 446 is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot that spent 12+ months in 60% new French oak.
Beautiful deep ruby on the pour, the nose is very inviting with black cherry, red cassis berries, and a red-to-black fruit core that draws you deep into the glass, accented by hints of lavender. The entry is incredible; a full-bodied wine weighs beautifully on the palate showing excellent concentration, deft balance, and a solid, juicy structure complete with well integrated tannins. The finish is resonant, and kissed by barrel influences of baking spice, vanilla blossoms, and further black cherries.
14.8% alc.