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2012 Cassata Estate "Utopium" Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2012 Cassata Estate "Utopium" Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Ryan Woodhouse
Read All Staff Reviews
K&L Buyer
Review Date: 09/2024

To be totally honest with you I had never heard of these wines before. However, after learning Jeff Baker made the wine, my interest was piqued. Jeff started his long career at the iconic Mayacamas Vineyards in the 1970s. He then made the wines at Carmenet on Moon Mountain for 20 years, and is now co-owner / winemaker at Stone Edge Farm with viticulturalist Phil Coturri. Cassata is a small, family-owned estate, on the eastern bench of Sonoma Valley right next to Ridge Vineyards' historic Pagani Ranch, just outside the town of Glen Ellen. The vineyard was planted in the early 2000s and is farmed using organic and biodynamic methods. A soon as I pulled the cork on the 2012 Utopium Cabernet I knew it was going to be a winner! It's an absolutely perfectly aged Cabernet, in the prime sweet spot for drinking. Complex development from 10+ years in bottle mean this wine is sitting right where the beautiful blackcurrant and elderberry fruit mingles with leather, spice box, tobacco leaf, dried porcini, graphite, turned earth. It still has lovely plush fruit and a suave texture on the mid-palate, but the secondary aromas and flavors are coming through beautifully. This could definitely pass for a 10-year-old, warmer vintage Bordeaux, or even a more restrained style of aged Napa Cab. I don't remember a time I came across a more beautiful aged, classically styled bottle of Cabernet with this much interest and immaculate balance for such a ludicrously low price point. Honestly, I've had many many far more expensive bottles from iconic estates across the world that don't offer anything more impressive than this little under the radar gem. This is a K&L sleeper for sure!

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AT
Alexandre Tweedie
Review Date: 09/2024
Insider subscribers, we're back with another late summer show stopping deal, this time bringing you a bottling of beautifully mature Sonoma Valley Cabernet! Between the towns of Kenwood and Glen Ellen lies Cassata Estate, a winery that has been crafting tried and true expressions of soulful Sonoma for several vintages, and recently offered us this phenomenal back-vintage library release from their 2012 vintage. Far below market price, this Cabernet is over delivering in every sense of the term — a savory nose of warm saddle leather, gently stewed blackberry and plum, with mature edges of sous bois leaning towards autumnal leaves and white truffle. The palate is lined with slight dusty tannin, complimenting the developed fruit of the palate, with more forest fruit and savor into the finish. If you're looking for a California Cabernet that is fully into its proper drinking window, look no further than Cassata Estate's Utopium, and look no further than this amazing one time price!

Notes

Cassata Estate is a tiny boutique winery in the heart of Sonoma County. The 2012 vintage is one of the best in recent memory and just now beginning to show its true (and incredible) colors. This stands out for value in the aged California Cab category!

Product Details

Origin: Sonoma County, California, United States

Type/Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon and Blends

Alcohol Content: 14.6%

SKU: #1780397