2021 Rootdown Cole Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon

Aromas of bright raspberry, red plum, and wild sage integrate with savory notes of pencil lead, bay leaf, and a hint of dusty earth. The palate is medium-bodied and exceptionally fresh, featuring a core of crunchy red fruit and a lean, lithe texture. It displays fine, structured tannins and a high-toned acidity that leads to a clean, transparent finish marked by a distinct mountain herb character and a cool mineral lift.

Winemaker Mike Lucia utilizes 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from this unique, high-altitude site. In the cellar, the fruit is fermented with native yeasts and sees a gentle extraction to maintain the wine's characteristic elegance and lower alcohol profile. The wine matures in neutral French oak barrels to ensure the wood does not overshadow the delicate floral and herbal nuances of the vineyard. This low-intervention approach results in a wine that prioritizes purity and "varietal typicity" over power or heavy ripeness.

The fruit is grown in the Cole Ranch AVA in Mendocino County, which is famously the smallest American Viticultural Area in the United States. The site is defined by its high-elevation valley floor, sitting at roughly 1,400 feet, and its cold mountain microclimate. Surrounded by steep ridges, the vineyard benefits from significant diurnal shifts and a long growing season that preserves acidity. The soils are a mix of gravelly loam and clay, providing the ideal conditions for a style of Cabernet Sauvignon that is more reminiscent of the Old World than typical high-octane California expressions.