Cartello Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

This Estate Cabernet Sauvignon comes from two Southwest hillside vineyards separated by a small ravine and century-old magnificent trees. 2+ years in barrel, round and plush tannins with both power and restraint. Cartello is a sign. Quite literally, cartello means “sign” in Italian, and this bottle is going to lead you to one of the great values in California today.  This project was born as a second label to the Mila Family Vineyards in Alexander Valley. No expense has been spared here, from the land to the farming to the work in the cellar. Sourced from the Black Mountain Hillside, the grapes are grown biodynamically, and show an old-world sensibility to these new world wines.

Nestled in a nook of vineyards flanked by forest, the Mila Family produces wines utterly ‘California’, but with respect to the Old Country. Guided by a team of winemakers from a wide variety of backgrounds, Mila has forged a Cabernet here of stunning power and, yet, plenty of elegance to make fans of great Cabernet sit up and take notice. Bathed in warm sun throughout the late morning and early afternoon, ripening of fruit is hardly a problem in these vineyards. Yet, consistent with the magic of Sonoma, cool mornings and evenings bring fogs that bathe the vines and ensure plenty of racy acidity in the wine. Aging occurs in new French oak, keeping the voice of the fruit from becoming too muted.