#6 on Hi-Time's Top North American Cabs of 2025
It's not often that a winemaker has two wines on our top wine list, but Jesse Katz (who also made our #4 Cabernet on this list) was on a tear this year! He has become one of the undisputed masters of Sonoma County Cabernet, creating multiple labels, yet each wine has its own distinct identity. Aperture Cellars is the compelling realization of a dream sparked by Jesse while traveling the world's most famous vineyards with his father, renowned photographer Andy Katz. Founded in 2009, Aperture was born from Jesse's desire to craft world-class, Bordeaux-style wines in Sonoma County, marrying Old World elegance with California's powerful fruit. This unique heritage is evident in every bottle, as each label features one of Andy Katz's evocative photographs, creating an expression of art both inside and out. From his mentorship at legendary wineries like Pétrus and Screaming Eagle, Jesse brought unparalleled expertise to Sonoma's cool-climate regions, setting the stage for a winery that has quickly become celebrated for pushing the boundaries of modern winemaking.
This Cabernet is part of Aperture's "Soil Series." For this wine, they specifically work with some of the most unique sites throughout Alexander Valley that focus on well drained, volcanic soils. With little organic material, these soils help to control vigor and growth and increase concentration and complexity in the wine. Many of these unique soils are in the Eastern hillsides of the appellation and display amazing rich, red color. Aged for 18 months in 55% new French oak, this wine received a fantastic 96-point score from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate!
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 96 POINTS - "The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon comes from Aperture's estate vineyard in Healdsburg and their newest vineyard acquisition, Farrow Ranch in Alexander Valley, plus some of the original single vineyards in the Aperture program like Oliver Ranch. It is blended with 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 3% Malbec and 1% Cabernet Franc and was matured for 16 months in 55% new French oak. It has vibrant, layered aromas of blueberry compote, lavender, aniseed, milk chocolate and nutmeg with undertones of cast iron and tobacco leaves. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly styled, pairing deep flavors with a weightless feel due to its bright acidity and velvety tannins. It has a long, latent finish and deserves 3-5 years in bottle. 4,480 cases produced."
JEB DUNNUCK 95 POINTS - "Jesse Katz and winemaker Hillary Sjolund are producing some of Sonoma's best examples of Bordeaux-inspired blends today. The wines offer hedonistic pleasure across the range, offering high-octane power balanced with superb elegance, and their top reds have significant aging potential. They are continuing to offer blockbuster wines, especially their 2021 releases."
"Pouring a deep red/purple color, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon has the addition of 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 3% Malbec and a splash of Cabernet Franc, all raised in 55% new French oak for 18 months. It’s aromatic of brambly crunchy fruits, with notes of blackberries, resinous herbs, mossy forest earth, and mocha. Full-bodied and light on its feel, with lovely freshness, it offers refined tannins and a good deal of length, with an even spine of acidity to hold up its decadent nature. It is going to be an age-worthy wine to enjoy over the next 15 or so years."
It's not often that a winemaker has two wines on our top wine list, but Jesse Katz (who also made our #4 Cabernet on this list) was on a tear this year! He has become one of the undisputed masters of Sonoma County Cabernet, creating multiple labels, yet each wine has its own distinct identity. Aperture Cellars is the compelling realization of a dream sparked by Jesse while traveling the world's most famous vineyards with his father, renowned photographer Andy Katz. Founded in 2009, Aperture was born from Jesse's desire to craft world-class, Bordeaux-style wines in Sonoma County, marrying Old World elegance with California's powerful fruit. This unique heritage is evident in every bottle, as each label features one of Andy Katz's evocative photographs, creating an expression of art both inside and out. From his mentorship at legendary wineries like Pétrus and Screaming Eagle, Jesse brought unparalleled expertise to Sonoma's cool-climate regions, setting the stage for a winery that has quickly become celebrated for pushing the boundaries of modern winemaking.
This Cabernet is part of Aperture's "Soil Series." For this wine, they specifically work with some of the most unique sites throughout Alexander Valley that focus on well drained, volcanic soils. With little organic material, these soils help to control vigor and growth and increase concentration and complexity in the wine. Many of these unique soils are in the Eastern hillsides of the appellation and display amazing rich, red color. Aged for 18 months in 55% new French oak, this wine received a fantastic 96-point score from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate!
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 96 POINTS - "The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon comes from Aperture's estate vineyard in Healdsburg and their newest vineyard acquisition, Farrow Ranch in Alexander Valley, plus some of the original single vineyards in the Aperture program like Oliver Ranch. It is blended with 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 3% Malbec and 1% Cabernet Franc and was matured for 16 months in 55% new French oak. It has vibrant, layered aromas of blueberry compote, lavender, aniseed, milk chocolate and nutmeg with undertones of cast iron and tobacco leaves. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly styled, pairing deep flavors with a weightless feel due to its bright acidity and velvety tannins. It has a long, latent finish and deserves 3-5 years in bottle. 4,480 cases produced."
JEB DUNNUCK 95 POINTS - "Jesse Katz and winemaker Hillary Sjolund are producing some of Sonoma's best examples of Bordeaux-inspired blends today. The wines offer hedonistic pleasure across the range, offering high-octane power balanced with superb elegance, and their top reds have significant aging potential. They are continuing to offer blockbuster wines, especially their 2021 releases."
"Pouring a deep red/purple color, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon has the addition of 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 3% Malbec and a splash of Cabernet Franc, all raised in 55% new French oak for 18 months. It’s aromatic of brambly crunchy fruits, with notes of blackberries, resinous herbs, mossy forest earth, and mocha. Full-bodied and light on its feel, with lovely freshness, it offers refined tannins and a good deal of length, with an even spine of acidity to hold up its decadent nature. It is going to be an age-worthy wine to enjoy over the next 15 or so years."
