Bordeaux Blend 2018, Aperture

Jesse’s mission for Aperture is to find the top cool-climate spots around California for his beloved Bordeaux varieties to thrive in. For Devil Proof Vineyards, it’s all about dry-farmed Malbec—the variety for which Jesse earned the highest-ever scores from Wine Spectator, Robert Parker, Jr. of The Wine Advocate, and Wine Enthusiast.

Over two decades of harvests learning from the best producers in the world—Pétrus, Screaming Eagle, Viña Cobos, Bodega Noemia, and more—have led to this moment at Aperture, where his wines have generated buzz and critical acclaim in equal measure.

The 2018 Red Blend is composed of 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 22% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. The nose offers vibrant berry scents with accents of charcuterie, mint chocolate, cigar wrapper, violets and pencil shavings aromas, and the palate is powerful but featherweight, silky and fresh with a very long, layered finish. Balanced with ripe fruit, mineral nuance, aromatic purity and structural power. This has the potential to grow into even more of a beauty with some time in bottle.