93 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Stylish, robust, elegant, and showy in its youth, and strengthened by layers of complexity, natural richness, and backbone that will allow the personality of the wine to expand further in the cellar.
Favorite pairings include rosemary and herb crusted lamb chops, beef skewers, and cherry glazed pork loin.
VINEYARD
Located in the foothills of Moon Mountain District, the Caton Vineyard is defined by its sustainable farming and belief that healthier vineyards produce unique and distinctive wines. 3.13 acres of Clone 3 Merlot is planted with East-West row direction leading into a ravine. The deep, rocky volcanic soil on the vineyard is rich with iron clay - an ideal atmosphere for producing the highest quality crop with slow even ripening.
VINTAGE
The 2020 harvest started with excellent growing conditions in Sonoma Valley. Temperature rose consistently through Labor Day while September brought high temperature spikes accelerating the last weeks of harvest. It took a unpredictable turn mid-August with wildfires. Luckily, the early harvest allowed them time to pick the Caton Vineyard with smaller berries and more concentrated fruit.
Winemaker: Ty Caton
Appellation: Moon Mountain District, Sonoma Valley
Vineyard: Estate Grown, Caton Vineyard
Varietals: 100% Merlot
Farming Practices: Certified Sustainable
Alcohol: 14.9%
95 Points
Dark crimson hue, and gracious from the moment it hits the glass, with sultry aromas of vibrant blackberry, dark cherry, fresh fig, bright blueberry and notes of oak that envelope your senses. Medium-bodied and remarkably velvety, its tannins gracefully interweave, establishing a flawless equilibrium of acidity and pleasing fruit, revealing hints of vanilla and spice creating a balanced and intriguing profile.
94 Points
Blueberry, currant and sweet spice on the nose, with satiny layers of marionberry, and fresh macerated blackberries, surrounding a core of leather, tobacco leaf, sandalwood, and tobacco. Medium to full bodied, it's polished and creamy with nice weight on the mid palate.
94 Points
Deep garnet in color from the ripe 2018 vintage, with open aromas of lush fruit – plum, blackberry, and cherry, and notes of cedar, vanilla, and white pepper. Across the palate it's quite seamless and silky, rich and concentrated. The fruit flavors are bold and vibrant. Mouth-filling with smooth tannins, great texture and a long delicious finish.
95 Points
Deeply wild and floral with cherry, raspberry bramble, and dried cranberries layered with notes of baking spice and satsuma. Hints of cherry bark and dried violets carry through with touches of herbs and spice, lending a savory balance to silky layers and juicy, red core.
93 Points
Aromas of fresh peach, Asian pear, citrus, and honeycomb delight your senses. Flavors are just as complex with hints of Madagascar vanilla followed by fresh lemon, green apple, wildflower honey, stone fruit, and a touch of lavender. Its rich, dense texture is balanced by its juicy acidity, leading to a long satisfying finish.
94 Points, Wine Enthusiast
This opulent wine opens with aromas of blackberry, black plum, violets and spice on the nose. Flavors on the palate of dark cherry, sarsaparilla and orange zest wrap around dried tobacco leaf, malt chocolate and toasted vanilla, with a long, supple finish.
92 Points
Rich, full-bodied with flavors of black currant, red plums, and cassis, followed by oak notes of cedar and vanilla and enticing oak spice. Dark flavors produce a lush and velvety textured of ripe black plums, dark cherries, cocoa and mint flavors fill the mouth that combine with supple tannins and leads to a long silky finish.
96 Points
Ruby-plum core with a light purple rim in the glass, with aromas of dark cherry, plum, spicy cola and black tea waft from the glass. The palate delivers all of that and then some, adding layers of fig jam, white peppercorn and baking spice. Firm juicy tannins and balanced acidity round it out.
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