2018 Laurel Glen Sonoma Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

As caretaker of this historic vineyard since 2011, Bettina Sichel has sustained Laurel Glen at the top-echelon of California cabernet elegance. Back in 1968, Patrick Campbell planted the original vines on an east-northeast-facing plateau—with an assist from a 13-year-old neighbor, Phil Coturri, who would come on board to manage the vineyard for Sichel and gain organic certification in 2014. Randall Watkins has made the wines since 2011, including this finely detailed 2018, a wine that leave a layered sensation of tannins and fruit skin and fruit flesh on the breath. The fruit lasts on the fragrance of fruit blossoms, cherry blossoms and cherry leaf, the flavor lush and delicious, an herbal bath with red fruit surround sound. 703 cases made. (JG)