Bordeaux Blend 2019, 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 2019 Red Blend is composed of 40% Malbec, 32% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon,10% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. For this vintage, they crafted a distinct Bordeaux blend, composed dominantly of malbec and merlot and delicately balanced by smaller inclusion of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and petit verdot. The ripe fruit characters are structured by seamless tannins, showcasing an elegant density to the blend. The 2019s are deep ruby-purple in color, the nose bursting with lilac perfume, expressive in their youth and are drinking beautifully with a decant now, and will only continue to reward with cellaring.