Valravn isn't new to our shelves. In fact, both their Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon have been featured prominently on previous "Top Wine" lists here at Hi-Time. However, with the strength of the 2023 vintage, we think this Cabernet Sauvignon is their best release yet, and it just received a fantastic review from respected critic Antonio Galloni!
After working in Sonoma County for 10 years, the team at Valravn established a dynamic network of friends and colleagues that include land owners, growers and winemakers. Through these connections, they have been fortunate to get exclusive access to fantastic vineyards, the backbone to any quality wine. Not only that, but Valravn works directly with the vineyard crews, so they oversee everything from farming, to picking, to bottling. Their Cabernet Sauvignon is an exploration of Sonoma County's most favored regions, including Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley, Moon Mountain, and Knights Valley.
It's a breath of fresh air to find a delicious, full-bodied, and inviting Sonoma County Cabernet that isn't mass-produced; and finding one at this price point makes that last part is the real stickler. Not only does this wine check off all those boxes, but it's got a wonderful score to boot! Antonio Galloni is one of the more respected wine critics, and his scores are often regarded as benchmarks (not under or overscored). And for this beauty, Galloni has given this a score of 91 points and calls it a "seriously good" Cabernet!
The wine is aged for 16 months in 30% new French oak, and these barrels come from the same coopers used by Cabernet producers who charge 3-4 times of this wine! Dark ruby in color with a purple hue, this wine displays lovely notes of black cherry, black currants, plum sauce, blackberry, kirsch, green peppercorns, olive tapenade, vanilla, clove, and a hint of scorched earth. Ripe and juicy on the palate, this wine still retains that classic-feel that is textbook Sonoma County Cabernet, so it doesn't go "jammy". The wine ends with fine-grained tannins, so this versatile wine will drink well on its own, along with more hearty dishes like a rib-eye steak or a meat paella.
For the past 4 years, we've seen our customers come back again and again for this little gem, and if you give it a try, we're sure you'll make this the latest staple in your wine routine!
ANTONIO GALLONI 91 POINTS - "The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County) is a seriously delicious, overachieving wine that delivers the goods. Strong savory, earthy and mineral inflections give the 2023 tons of Sonoma character. Inky dark fruit, lavender, cloves, menthol and licorice fill out the layers. Juicy and effusive, with tons of character, the 2023 is compelling."
After working in Sonoma County for 10 years, the team at Valravn established a dynamic network of friends and colleagues that include land owners, growers and winemakers. Through these connections, they have been fortunate to get exclusive access to fantastic vineyards, the backbone to any quality wine. Not only that, but Valravn works directly with the vineyard crews, so they oversee everything from farming, to picking, to bottling. Their Cabernet Sauvignon is an exploration of Sonoma County's most favored regions, including Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley, Moon Mountain, and Knights Valley.
It's a breath of fresh air to find a delicious, full-bodied, and inviting Sonoma County Cabernet that isn't mass-produced; and finding one at this price point makes that last part is the real stickler. Not only does this wine check off all those boxes, but it's got a wonderful score to boot! Antonio Galloni is one of the more respected wine critics, and his scores are often regarded as benchmarks (not under or overscored). And for this beauty, Galloni has given this a score of 91 points and calls it a "seriously good" Cabernet!
The wine is aged for 16 months in 30% new French oak, and these barrels come from the same coopers used by Cabernet producers who charge 3-4 times of this wine! Dark ruby in color with a purple hue, this wine displays lovely notes of black cherry, black currants, plum sauce, blackberry, kirsch, green peppercorns, olive tapenade, vanilla, clove, and a hint of scorched earth. Ripe and juicy on the palate, this wine still retains that classic-feel that is textbook Sonoma County Cabernet, so it doesn't go "jammy". The wine ends with fine-grained tannins, so this versatile wine will drink well on its own, along with more hearty dishes like a rib-eye steak or a meat paella.
For the past 4 years, we've seen our customers come back again and again for this little gem, and if you give it a try, we're sure you'll make this the latest staple in your wine routine!
ANTONIO GALLONI 91 POINTS - "The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County) is a seriously delicious, overachieving wine that delivers the goods. Strong savory, earthy and mineral inflections give the 2023 tons of Sonoma character. Inky dark fruit, lavender, cloves, menthol and licorice fill out the layers. Juicy and effusive, with tons of character, the 2023 is compelling."
