#4 on Hi-Time's Top North American Cabs of 2025
Winemaker and co-proprietor Jesse Katz has spent over 19 harvests at several world-renowned wineries, such as Petrus, Screaming Eagle, Vina Cobos and others. Yup... you read those right! Working at any of these illustrious wineries would be a crowning achievement for any winemaker, but Jesse has worked at all three… now that's impressive! The Setting's Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the stunning old-vine vineyard of SJ Ranch at the top of Chalk Hill Road. Sitting directly next to Verité, in the most southeast corner of Alexander Valley, this cooler hillside site creates wines of balanced intensity. Chalky volcanic soils with little organic material and polished rocks make up the majority of the soil profile, with a gravel soil bed that weaves though half of the vineyard. This shift to gravel creates added stress in the vines resulting in enhanced concentration in the fruit.
It is this concentration that often catches the attention of experts. Jeb Dunnuck and his team are some of the most respected wine critics in the world. They taste thousands of wines each year from regions across the globe, so when they taste something that stands out, you can rest assured that the wine will be exceptional. Previous vintages of this wine have scored highly, and the 2022 is no exception, as this wine received a whopping 98-point score from Jeb Dunnuck.com!
JEB DUNNUCK 98 POINTS - "The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley comes from one of the coldest sites from which they farm Cabernet Sauvignon. A dark red color, the wine is forward with blue-fruited highlights and shining with notes of juniper, pine, violets, forest floor, and fresh herbs. It’s long, elegant, and focused on the palate, with a more linear feel, an even plushness of tannins, and redcurrants, cassis, and vanilla shining through to the long finish. Drink 2025-2050."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 95 POINTS - "The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley, matured in 85% new French oak for 22 months, opens with red and black plum aromas that give way to nuances of lilac, garrigue, iodine and iron-like mineral tones. The medium-bodied palate is concentrated yet elegant, combining floral fruit with ultra-powdery tannins and juicy acidity, and it has a very long, nuanced finish. 3,000 cases produced."
Winemaker and co-proprietor Jesse Katz has spent over 19 harvests at several world-renowned wineries, such as Petrus, Screaming Eagle, Vina Cobos and others. Yup... you read those right! Working at any of these illustrious wineries would be a crowning achievement for any winemaker, but Jesse has worked at all three… now that's impressive! The Setting's Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the stunning old-vine vineyard of SJ Ranch at the top of Chalk Hill Road. Sitting directly next to Verité, in the most southeast corner of Alexander Valley, this cooler hillside site creates wines of balanced intensity. Chalky volcanic soils with little organic material and polished rocks make up the majority of the soil profile, with a gravel soil bed that weaves though half of the vineyard. This shift to gravel creates added stress in the vines resulting in enhanced concentration in the fruit.
It is this concentration that often catches the attention of experts. Jeb Dunnuck and his team are some of the most respected wine critics in the world. They taste thousands of wines each year from regions across the globe, so when they taste something that stands out, you can rest assured that the wine will be exceptional. Previous vintages of this wine have scored highly, and the 2022 is no exception, as this wine received a whopping 98-point score from Jeb Dunnuck.com!
JEB DUNNUCK 98 POINTS - "The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley comes from one of the coldest sites from which they farm Cabernet Sauvignon. A dark red color, the wine is forward with blue-fruited highlights and shining with notes of juniper, pine, violets, forest floor, and fresh herbs. It’s long, elegant, and focused on the palate, with a more linear feel, an even plushness of tannins, and redcurrants, cassis, and vanilla shining through to the long finish. Drink 2025-2050."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 95 POINTS - "The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley, matured in 85% new French oak for 22 months, opens with red and black plum aromas that give way to nuances of lilac, garrigue, iodine and iron-like mineral tones. The medium-bodied palate is concentrated yet elegant, combining floral fruit with ultra-powdery tannins and juicy acidity, and it has a very long, nuanced finish. 3,000 cases produced."
