This full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon is from the Dry Creek appellation in northern Sonoma County. Twenty miles from the Pacific Ocean and situated roughly between the Russian River and Alexander Valleys, this special pocket of California has become an incredible growing region for red varietals. In the right hands, Dry Creek is capable of producing world-class Cabernet at an exceptional value. Such is the case with the 2012 Joleté from the Olson Vineyard.
With hand-tended vines and small, artisanal production, this beautiful wine delivers mouth-coating, bold richness of fruit with classic aromatics, reminding us Napa Valley’s Oakville appellation. When we first tasted this wine and heard the asking price, we were shocked for what we experienced in the glass. For under $30, you will be hard-pressed to find a better example. An absolute joy to drink now, this off-the-beaten-path Cabernet Sauvignon is truly something special. If you are a fan of high-end California Cabernet, you will love this wine for a mere fraction of its Napa counterpart.
The 2012 Joleté Olson Vineyard Cabernet displays an opaque, dark crimson core with purple reflections throughout. The intense, fruit-forward nose opens with beautiful aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, and boysenberry, which give way to notes of dried thyme, green tobacco, cacao, a touch of leather and powerful oak spices that round out the robust earth and fruit. The palate is rich with fruit from the California sunshine, boasting boysenberry and black cherry preserves, which quickly evolve into exotic spices, thyme, leather, cedar and nuanced baking spices from partial new oak usage. This wine shows at its best after 30 minutes in a decanter. For optimal results, serve in Bordeaux stems between 60-65 degrees for the fruit and savory to be in perfect balance with the alcohol. The intense flavors and captivating richness make this wine an incredible pairing partner for this Roasted Leg of Lamb.