98 International Wine Report

The 2023 Aperture Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma County includes small amounts of 3% Malbec, 1% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot, and was aged for 18 months in 55% new French oak. In the glass, it reveals an opaque ruby-purple hue. The nose is strikingly layered, bringing together aromas of crushed black cherries, wild marionberries, roasted coffee bean, cedary herbs, and damp forest soil. The palate follows with intensity and grace, offering cassis, mulberry, and dark chocolate, balanced by savory herbs and graphite. Firm, polished tannins and vibrant acidity structure the wine without weighing it down, giving it both power and lift. The finish is extended and resonant, echoing spice, fruit, and earthy undertones long after each sip. This bottling is both deeply expressive and precise, one of the most incredible Cabernet Sauvignons yet from Aperture, built to evolve over two decades. For pairing, it would be stunning with dry-aged ribeye and truffle butter, the wine’s depth of fruit and earthy complexity mirroring the richness of the dish. Highly recommended and editor’s choice.

96+ Erin Brooks - Robert Parker's the Wine Advocate

I tasted the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon in October, not long after it was bottled in August. Grapes were harvested October 5 through November 3. It was blended with 3% Malbec, 1% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot and matured for 18 months in 55% new French oak barrels plus 10% concrete—a new aging vessel Aperture has started experimenting with. It has slowly unfurling scents of cassis, black cherry, dark chocolate, cast iron and floral hints. The full-bodied palate is impressively concentrated without over-ripeness, and its flavors are rich yet minerally. It has an haut couture frame of powdery tannins and refreshing acidity and a very long, elegant finish. It should be very long lived in the cellar.

97 James Suckling - Jamessuckling.com

A refined wine showing lovely fruit with less verticality than the 2022, but here the magic is the roundness and smoothness, which is really poised. Subtle cedar, tobacco, olives and paprika on the nose. Sweet berries and fruit on the palate, with a medium to full body and a long, nuanced finish. More precise in terms of tannins this year, with immediate approachability. 74% cabernet sauvignon, 19% carmenere, 5% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. 73% new oak and the rest is second use. Drink from 2026.

96 Antonio Galloni - Vinous

The 2023 Blend Almaviva is composed of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Carménère, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Sourced from a warm, dry vintage, this reflects the character of the year, though the winery has managed it with notable finesse. The nose delivers aromas of lavender, violet and blood orange, followed by hints of plum, blackberry and soft spices. Generous and juicy on the palate, this offers enveloping volume, fine-grained tannins and a fresh, sustained finish. Exceptionally well-crafted for the vintage, the 2023 once again secures its place among the top wines of Puente Alto.

96 Georgina Hindle - Decanter

Rich and heady nose, some bell pepper aromatics with blackcurrant and milk chocolate, black pepper and floral scents. Glossy and thick, lots of flesh and power here with juicy black fruit. Great concentration but refined and focussed. There’s no shortage of power and precision - vertical and layered with mint, aniseed, menthol aspects, minerality and black fruit. Velvety but packing a punch. Give this a good few years but the structure and finesse is there. Classy and captivating - and mouthwateringly moreish. 3% Merlot completes the blend. A joint venture between Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Viña Concha y Toro. Director Manuel Louzada, winemaker Michel Friou.

95 Jeb Dunnuck - jebdunnuck.com

The flagship Cabernet Sauvignon dominated (there's a splash of Cabernet Franc) 2014 Apex is straight up gorgeous on all accounts! Classic notes of blackcurrants, licorice, toasted spice, tobacco and graphite all emerge from this deeply colored, medium to full-bodied, layered, even sexy Cabernet, and it's undoubtedly the greatest vintage of this cuvee to date. I put this wine just behind the Ridge Mont Bello Cuvee (it's made in a more fresh, elegant style, however) for the top Bordeaux blend of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

94 Antonio Galloni - Vinous

The 2014 Apex Gist Ranch Estate is essentially the best four barrels of Cabernet Sauvignon off the property. Explosive, powerful and tannic the Apex hits all the right notes. Inky blue and purplish fruit, crème de cassis, menthol, lavender and sweet spices hit the palate in a sumptuous, structured Cabernet endowed with real pedigree and class. The 2014 Apex is the best wine I have tasted from Lexington yet.

85 Wine Spectator

A crisp Prosecco, with a zesty bead and subtle notes of pear, spring blossoms and stone. Glera, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco and Pinot Grigio. Drink now. 7,000 cases imported.

91 Joe Czerwinski - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The Grgich Hills 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown offers up hallmark notes of cassis, faint herbal streaks and dusty earth. It's only medium-bodied and classically proportioned—a bit of a throwback in style—with silky, refined tannins and a lingering finish.

94 Luca Maroni - Annuario dei Migliori Vini Italiani

91 Yohan Castaing - Robert Parker's the Wine Advocate

A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2019 Thieuley shows an elegant, more complex bouquet than its 2018 counterpart, exhibiting aromas of dark berries, pencil lead, licorice and menthol, followed by a medium to full-bodied, juicy and enveloping palate that’s framed by powdery tannins. Seamless and already nicely integrated, this vintage can be approached with pleasure, even if has four or five year of evolution ahead of it.

93 Decanter

Lovely purple flowers and blue fruits on the nose, with floral and chocolate nuances. Lovely tension and vibrant acidity.

91 James Suckling - Jamessuckling.com

Aromas of blackcurrants, tobacco leaves, dried herbs and wild blackberries. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with fine tannins and balanced acidity, giving flavors of mulberries, cedar and mocha. Plush and generous, with a complete finish. Drink now.

91 James Suckling - Jamessuckling.com

A fleshy and juicy malbec with aromas of black plums, black cherries and some vanilla. It’s full-bodied, creamy and balanced. Delicious now.