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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
Enfield Wine Co Waterhorse Ridge Cabernet Sauvignontext
93POINTS
17¼/20

Enfield Wine Co Waterhorse Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Sonoma County, California, United StatesTake everything you know of Cali Cab and throw it away. Then taste this graceful wine. From Sonoma County's tiny Fort Ross - Seaview AVA's Waterhorse Ridge Vineyard, and its loamy/volcanic soils, this cabernet is cooled by its elevation and proximity to the Pacific, 5 miles away. The 2-acre dry farm, organic, no-till vineyard is farmed and owned by grower Jesus Velasquez. Enfield Wine Co. is the family project of John Lockwood and Amy Seese, focused solely on producing low-intervention wines of individuality and place. John typically farms the sites himself, but this vineyard, nearly 20 years old, was so meticulously cared for by Jesus, he leaves it in capable hands. It was a native co-fermented field blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 7.5% Cabernet Franc & 2.5% Petit Verdot, with 25% whole cluster. After a two week ferment, the wine aged for 18 months in a mix of 500L Puncheons and 225L barrels (10% new) before being bottled unfined & unfiltered. Sweet wild plum, wild cassis, perfumed raspberries flow along a slight palate, held with fine, long, bamboo tannins. The finish lingers with dusty gravels, alluring florals, and subtle spices. Acidity is bright, buoying this 14-degree wine far loftier than one would surmise. It shows cabernet sauvignon's grace and presence, and while drinking beautifully now - it will be one to watch over the next few years.Tasted: 29 May 2020Tasted by: Treve RingPrices:
BC$110.00750mlprivate wine stores
Producer: Enfield Wine Co.Distributors: Sur Lie
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon