2012 Hidden Ridge 55% Slope Cabernet Sauvignon

Hidden Ridge was established in 1990 when the husband-and-wife team of Lynn Hofacket and Casidy Ward purchased 164 acres of rugged wilderness in Sonoma County, between Mount Hood and Diamond Mountain. The couple originally planned to clear the land build a home, but they became interested in grape growing and eventually decided to make wine. Over the course of the 1990s they cleared the land and planted Cabernet Sauvignon. Their debut release was a 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon made by Marco DiGiulio. Hidden Ridge’s vineyards are at elevations of 1200 to 1700 feet above sea level, and some are on slopes with 55 percent grade, extremely steep for vineyards. The limited production wine has won acclaim from reviewers. The winemaker today is Timothy Milos. Robert Parker wrote that Hidden Ridge wines “are clearly world-class Cabernet Sauvignons and should be considered by any serious collector for their cellars.” The wines are generally available only through a mailing list.

Sonoma County is not an AVA, but it is a commonly used informal designation for wines made outside of more specific AVAs within Sonoma, which is a large wine producing region just west of Napa Valley. Though Sonoma is often overshadowed by its glamorous neighbor Napa Valley, it has a long history of wine production. The area specialized in jug wine until the mid-20th century, when Sonoma producers took a cue from Napa and started improving quality. Unlike Napa, where Cabernet Sauvignon is king, Sonoma specialized in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, though excellent Cabs are produced too. There are at present 16 AVAs within Sonoma County, and, like much of the West Coast of the United States, new AVAs are created in Sonoma County with regularity. Some Sonoma appellations, such as the Russian River Valley, are renowned for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

One of the most widely grown grape varieties, it can be found in nearly every wine growing region. A cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a hardy vine that produces a full-bodied wine with high tannins and great aging potential.