2022 Valravn Cabernet Sauvignon

90% Cabernet Sauvignon & 10% Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Syrah, Petite Verdot, Malbec, and Syrah. he grapes hail from four sub-AVAs of Sonoma County - Knight’s Valley (40%), Moon Mountian (20%), Alexander Valley (20%) and Chalk Hill (20%). In the cellar, hand-harvested and hand-sorted grapes undergo an extended cold soak followed by primary fermentation in stainless steel. Following primary fermentation, the wine is racked to French oak barrels (new, second-use, and neutral) for malolactic conversion and 16 months of aging. The barrel regimen is approximately 25% new oak, including Atelier, Sylvain, Taransaud, and Seguin Moreau cooperages. 14.5% alcohol.

Valravn is the evolution of a dream that started years ago with another label created out of frustration, Banshee Wines. It began as a singular Pinot Noir made to provide value in a category living almost perpetually at $60 retail. At that time in the market, if it wasn’t $60, it was absolute crap. Baron Ziegler, Steve Graf and Emily Peterson refused to believe it wasn’t possible to have something worth drinking, at a price they could personally afford to pay. They came from European wine backgrounds over many years, most recently Baron and Emily at Eric Soloman Selections (primarily Spanish wine), and Steve at Martine’s Wines (Burgundy), and those beginnings helped shape the sense of place and vibrancy people came to expect from Banshee–at an amazing price. Fast forward some years, and they ended up selling Banshee, but keeping the contracts with the growers they had developed relationships with over the years, and subsequently creating Valravn. They began working with winemaker Rob Fischer, whose own relationships and experience in the area only elevated their game. They make Pinot Noir (of course), Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon in Sonoma County. Each of those wines, every vintage, is an almost impossible equation to balance, but they manage to pull it off. Awesome fruit, exceptional vineyards, respectful winemaking, amazing prices. 

92 points, Wine Enthusiast. "Lively aromas of dusty cherry, licorice and black pepper mingle on the nose of this decadent wine. The palate brings richly textured black cherry, cocoa and anise flavors that evolve for about a minute across the finish. Loving the value here."

91 points, Vinous. "The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County) might very well be the single greatest Cabernet Sauvignon from California in its price range. Savory and mineral Sonoma notes run through a core of purplish fruit, gravel, incense, licorice, chocolate and dried flowers."