2019 Ehret Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Knights Valley
The Winery
Photo from Ehret Family Vineyards website
The Ehret Family Winery owners are Pierre and Susan Ehret with their three children Alex, Christian and Isabella. They established the vineyard and started producing grapes in 1996 at the Bavarian Lion Vineyards. It is one of the largest estates in Knights Valley consisting of 1800 acres of both hillside and valley floor terrain. Currently 500 acres are planted in vineyards allowing the balance to provide an ecosystem for plants and birdlife to dwell. From 1996 they sold their fruit to some of the more well-known wineries throughout Napa and Sonoma counties. In 2005, they selected the highest quality grapes and started their family brand, Ehret Family Winery. Today they produce various Cabernet Sauvignon’s, Red Blends, Zinfandel, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc wines. Their tasting room is located in Healdsburg at 422 Healdsburg Ave and appointments are required
Knights Valley is located in Northern Sonoma County between Alexander Valley and over the Napa Valley border next to Calistoga.
The winemaker is Erin Green who has been there since 2015. Previously Erin has had experience at Sonoma-Cutrer, Vinewood Cellars and Napa Wine Company. She has also blended wines for various premium projects such as Bryant Family, Colgin Cellars, Martinelli Winery and Pahlmeyer. From 2000-2012 Erin was the winemaker and Director of Winegrowing at Pahlmeyer.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Color: Deep lively crimson and very dark
Velocity: medium-heavy
Aroma: blackberry and bramble
Complexity: It possessed a range of flavors and structure but not as much as their Hillside Cabernet. Blackberry, raspberry fruits with soft young leather with a slight hint of cinnamon and vanilla.
Terroir/Sense of Place: One sip and you could tell it was Knights Valley/Sonoma
Finish: Strong tannins coated the mouth but not overwhelming
Price Point/Value: Definitely a solid value at $75 and comparable to wines much higher.
Being the “least expensive” Cabernet Sauvignon in the Ehret Family Winery lineup, it still delivered like one of their premier wines! First on the eyes a dark luscious coloring almost black and with heavy viscosity. On the nose one of the more expressive and startling aromas with dark cherries exploding in the senses. On the palate a symphony of flavors broke out in merriment with red raspberry and black fruits. On the finish, strong and yet velvety tannins provide a smooth and gentle conclusion to each sip. This wine can easily be enjoyed with various foods or even as a standalone drink.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The grapes are handpicked from their estate Bavarian Lion Vineyards. 300 cases were produced and the 2019 vintage is listed at $75/bottle. This has an alcohol level of 15.5% and only 600 cases produced.
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Select the wine to pair with a “Black & Blue filet mignon” tonight. Black and blue steak is charred on a very hot grill (1500 degrees) and yet the inside is rare. The blue referring to almost “cold” on the inside. However we do like it a bit warmer or medium rare! Topped with a mixture of butter, Danablu blue cheese and fresh chives. Accompanied by halved seasoned and roasted small potatoes and sautéed Brussel sprouts drizzled with balsamic reduction.
An excellent food and wine pairing!
Sláinte,
Michael