Entry No. 012
"Bell Weather"
2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Bell Mountain Vineyard Alexander Valley
2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Bell Mountain Vineyard Alexander Valley
Comparable at $100
$33.15 - $39.00
$33.15 - $39.00
Notes from the Archivist
"Bell Weather"
Our 12th release is a special one. When we started this little adventure, some of the sources we bought from required that veil of secrecy.
And no doubt, many future releases will need that discretion. But we also aim to collaborate with some of our friends, and favorite producers in the industry. Straight up, no redactions, no secrecy. Full transparency.
First there was Caldwell. Then Dusty. And now, MEDLOCK!
We’ve offered Medlock many times over the years at Wine Spies. They’re a great bunch of people, with a fantastic property, and the wines have always been good to great. Definitely one of my favorite from that “other” valley. As some of you know, the winery went up for sale recently. The 2023 vintage of this wine is already sold out from the winery, and will likely be the last one for the time being as the 24s are being parceled off.
When I ran into Medlock President and friend Julie at a party, we got talking and she mentioned they might have a few barrels available. And we could get the “friends and family” price. Naturally I was interested. After all, this same Cabernet earned them a hefty 95 points recently, and fetches $100 from the winery.
Getting choice barrels from a vintage **Vinography** described as “nothing less than epic, with some folks calling it the vintage of a lifetime”* When you have Abby Watt, who received guidance from Jean Hoefliger, along with our own in-house Wizard of Wine, good things are bound to happen. Bobby put some finesse on this by adding 11% Cab Franc. And I don’t know if he bottled it on a fruit day under a full moon or what, but it’s like getting a freshly tuned Mustang from Hennessey – it’s just got a little more giddy up to it. As we wait for our own ratings to come, I think it should pull similar to its OG sibling.
If you’ve had previous Medlock Ames Cabs, you know what to expect. And then kick up the overdrive after Bobby worked it over. I wouldn’t say this is “cranked to 11” but it’s a bit richer, meatier, and complex than the OG counterpart. Opaque in the glass, it skews on the black fruit spectrum with roasted plum, mission fig, currant, dark-roasted coffee and worn leather stacked sky high. Modest oak spice plays along nicely, and it all carries along together into a dipthong drawl finish.
Under $40 puts this in a category without much competition.
Alcohol
14.3%
Elevage
24 months 40% new French Oak
Composition
89% Cabernet Sauvignon
11% Cabernet Franc
In stock
| Quantity | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 - 5 bottles | $39.00 |
| 6+ bottles | $33.15 |
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