2019 Medlock Ames Cabernet Sauvignon Bell Mountain Alexander Valley 750 ml

Medlock Ames was founded in 1998 by Chris Medlock James and Ames Morison, who conceived the idea while roommates in New York City (they’d been college friends as well). The seed was planted during an inspired night of drinking Bordeaux, and the pair eventually made their way to California, where they began searching for the ideal property.

It was no small task: They looked at over 100 sites before heading down a winding private lane off of Chalk Hill Road. With Bell Mountain towering above, they scanned the breathtaking property, which had a few dozen acres of neglected Merlot vines. They knew it would take some serious work, but they had found their place. 

Located at the southernmost tip of Alexander Valley (which overlaps into the Russian River Valley, Bell Mountain Ranch covers 338 acres, of which barely 10% are planted to vines. There are 650 olive trees on the estate, though most of it is in its natural state. Medlock Ames is fiercely committed to sustainability: Seven solar arrays to power the winery and business offices, and they eschew pesticides—even organic ones—opting instead for other approaches. 

The growing conditions at Bell Mountain Ranch are perfect for Bordeaux varieties, with shallow soils of heavy clay loam—some replete with gravel—which drain well and produce muscular Cabernet. Perfect to hand off to Jean Hoefliger, the winemaker behind Alpha Omega and The Debate, who blended 79% Cabernet with 21% Merlot, then aged the wine in 11% new French oak, opting for 89% neutral wood.

A gorgeous 96-point snapshot of a beautiful place, brought to life by an expert hand, this is as good as you can get in California Cabernet at this price.