wines by jesse k atz
Transcription
wines by jesse k atz
W I N E S B Y J E S S E K AT Z ABOUT J E S S E K AT Z Jesse’s focus is on creating the wines for his two brands, Aperture Cellars and Devil Proof Vineyards. Aperture Jesse Katz’s love and respect for the great wine houses and winemaking regions of the world was shaped well before he began making wine. Following the renowned work of his photographer father Andy Katz, Jesse traveled with him to countless countries, instilling in him a great love for travel, culture, and appreciation for the importance of local terroir. It was playing in the vineyards of Château Mouton, Rothschild and Argiano, and exploring the cellars of Cellars, a collaborative project Sassicaia and Domaine Leflaive, that first fostered his passion for the craft and with his photographer father the industry. Andy, focuses on Bordeaux varietals and demonstrates an expression of art both inside the bottle and out. Devil Proof Vineyards, Jesse’s flagship After working as a Lab Assistant at Fess Parker Winery in Los Olivos when he was 18, Jesse’s desire to become a winemaker was solidified. He was inspired by the complex relationship between unpredictable nature and precise science and as a result, dedicated his studies to the practice. Jesse graduated from Fresno State University, where he received a full-tuition scholarship, with a Bachelors of Science degree in Enology and a minor in Chemistry. Following his graduation, Jesse immersed himself in the hands-on work of wine, is a single vineyard, dry winemaking, studying and practicing in varied terroirs, and under farmed 100% Malbec from phenomenally talented and well-respected leaders of the industry. Working two Alexander Valley. Vinding-Diers at Bodega Noemia in Patagonia and with Paul Hobbs of Viña vintages a year, Jesse spent time in Argentina learning from Hans Cobos in Mendoza. In California he worked with Bob Foley at Hourglass and Robert Foley and alongside famed winemaker Andy Erickson at the highly Continued info@devilproofvineyards.com | www.devilproofvineyards.com | www.aperture-cellars.com | 707.843.0266 ABOUT esteemed cult winery Screaming Eagle. Returning to the Alexander Valley area, Jesse was offered a prestigious position at Lancaster Estate Winery and Roth Estate, making him the youngest head Winemaker in the US at the time. He dedicated himself to working exclusively with their 52 acres of meticulously maintained Bordeaux varietals. Over his five years of work for the estate, he elevated the already well-celebrated and highly acclaimed wines, acquiring the highest ratings ever achieved by both brands. He grew Roth Estate from a 6,000 case brand to a 58,000 case brand while orchestrating the building of the new Roth winery, a production facility, and tasting room on Chalk Hill Road. In addition to Jesse’s two Jesse left Lancaster Estate in 2015 to further his study under more masterful wine artists, this time in Bordeaux. Here he had the distinct privilege of burgeoning brands, he practicing at the great Châteaux of Pétrus, Cheval Blanc, and Ausone, gaining consults for several other an intimate knowledge of the distinct Bordeaux terroir and winemaking global wineries that have gained him international exposure. Jesse is also involved in additional winemaking projects locally, including creating specialty techniques as they have been developed for centuries in this legendary part of the world. Jesse’s own projects currently include the winemaking for his two brands, Aperture Cellars and Devil Proof Vineyards. Aperture Cellars, a collaborative project with his father, is a brand that is an expression of art both inside the bottle and out. The labels feature the stunning photography of Andy Katz and pay tribute to the importance of shared experiences, capturing the enthusiasm the two have for great wines and meaningful journeys. Devil Proof Vineyards was first established in 2012 with a small production 100% Malbec from a blends for charity events and single Alexander Valley hillside vineyard block that perfectly exhibits Jesse’s non-profit organizations, such well-honed technique for producing exquisite terroir driven wines. This first as Becoming Independent, of which Jesse is the chairman of their largest annual fundraising event. release received the highest rating of any Malbec from California from both Robert Parker, Jr. and Wine Spectator, and was named “Cult Winery” of the year. Involved in global development projects as well, Jesse is partnering with Roots of Peace on their “Mines to Vines” program with the goal of restoring economic stability to war stricken areas of the world through agriculture. J E S S E K AT Z He is also deeply committed to sustainable wine growing and is spreading the word and the practice of sustainable vineyard work. info@devilproofvineyards.com | www.devilproofvineyards.com | www.aperture-cellars.com | 707.843.0266 ACCOL ADES 30 Under 30: Food & Drink "Katz was the youngest hired head winemaker in the U.S. when he started at Lancaster Estate. In the past four years, he received 90+ scores on every Lancaster wine scored by Robert Parker." — FORBES M AGAZINE, JANUARY 2014 40 Under 40: America's Tastemakers "The son of photographer Andy Katz who came to Lancaster from Napa cult brand Screaming Eagle, Jesse's first vintage of 2010 Lancaster Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is just about to be released. Katz is also supervising the development of Lancaster's sister brand, the 50,000-case Roth, which will soon have its own separate winery and for which he will make six different wines." — WINE E NTHUSIAST M AGAZINE, A PRIL 2013 30 Under 40: Winemakers to Watch "Not only was Jesse Katz the youngest ever winemaker at cult California wine estate Screaming Eagle, he also counts singer-turned-actor Justin Timerlake among his friends, helping the curly haired crooner craft a wine for his wedding to actress Jessica Biel last year." — THE D RINKS B USINESS, JANUARY 2014 40 Under 40: Most Outstanding Young Business and Community Leaders in the North Bay "I want to make sure that our current focus on sustainability isn't a passing trend. I'm focusing on it with our vineyard managers and in the winery. “ — N ORTH BAY B USINESS J OURNAL, A PRIL 2015 30 Under 30: Wine Innovators "Eight interviews later, Katz was hired as winemaker for Lancaster's estate wines and for Roth, the label he has helped develop with purchased fruit." — WINE & S PIRITS M AGAZINE info@devilproofvineyards.com | www.devilproofvineyards.com | www.aperture-cellars.com | 707.843.0266 WINE ACCOL ADES “Cult winery of the year” — THE TASTING PANEL Highest rated 100% Malbec from California ever. — R OBERT PARKER J R . AND WINE S PECTATOR “This may be the finest Malbec I have ever tasted from California” — R OBERT PARKER J R . “This vintage is even better than the prior version, which is almost unimaginable, but there it is. Floral and as tempting as blueberry pie, this concoction from Jesse Katz is velvety smooth and silky on the palete. White chocolate dances around the edges, along with a strong suggestion of cigar, which may perhaps come from the fine lady on the label.” Editor’s Choice. 2013 Devil Proof — VIRGINIE B OONE, WINE E NTHUSIAST M AGAZINE “Winemaker Jesse Katz pulled out all the stops to craft this small-production Malbec, proving that the right fruit in the right hands can yield crazy good results.” 2012 Devil Proof — VIRGINIE B OONE, WINE E NTHUSIAST M AGAZINE “Head over heels in love.” — M ERIDITH M AY THE TASTING PANEL AND THE S OMM J OURNAL “While big and expressive, maintains a measure of finesse and harmony. Ends long and layered.” — J IM L AUBE, WINE S PECTATOR “Inky, opaque garnet in the glass, this wine smells of black cherry and a hint of camphor. In the mouth, rich and velvety flavors of dark cherry, cocoa powder, espresso and just a hint of blueberry have a slightly bitter, woody edge as they head towards a long finish. Muscular tanins hold the fruit and cocoa in a tight fist.” 2013 Devil Proof, 9/9.5. — A LDER YARROW, VINOGRAPHY “Our friend Jesse Katz is one of our favorite winemakers. His new project, Devil Proof Malbec, proves yet again that he makes the most delicious cult wines in the industry. His wine has been a part of our cellar and enjoyed on countless occasions.” — J ESSICA B IEL & J USTIN TIMBERLAKE info@devilproofvineyards.com | www.devilproofvineyards.com | www.aperture-cellars.com | 707.843.0266 WINE ACCOL ADES “9.5/10. A beautiful study in balance power and elegance.” “Dark garnet in the glass, this wine smells of cherry tobacco, and a touch of espresso. In the mouth, bright cherry, tobacco and cola flavors are juicy with acidity even as they flex with the muscles of tightly wound tannins that eventually turn powdery. This is a young wine that will blossom with time. Beautifully integrated oak barely surfaces in the finish.” 2013 Aperture Cabernet, 9.5. “Medium to dark garnet in the glass, this wine smells of sweet cherry and cola. In the mouth, sweet cherry, cola and cocoa powder have a boisterous quality thanks to fantastic acidity and relatively restrained tanins. A hint of earth lingers in the finish along with sweet cherry. A lovely wine.” 2013 Aperture Red Blend, 9.5. — A LDER YARROW, VINOGRAPHY “Tobacco and violets make a daring pair in this tremendously deep, jammy red. Malbec (5%) is blended in, a beloved variety of winemaker Jesse Katz, who has spent time in Argentina and more recently in Bordeaux, where he worked the Pétrus harvest after he left Lancaster Estate. The sleek, silky wine is aged 22 months in 100% French oak (50% new).” — THE TASTING PANEL “Reveals a dense ruby/purple color along with sweet black currant and blueberry fruit, medium body, velvety tannins, good texture and purity...” — R OBERT PARKER J R . “Opaque in color and manner, this wine benefits from the 5% addition of Malbec, a specialty of the producer. Juicy blue and black fruit intermiz around a touch of milk chocolate with smooth tannins and well integrated oak. This is a classically styled wine balanced against a richness of California fruit .” 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon — VIRGINIE B OONE, WINE E NTHUSIAST M AGAZINE “Winemaker Jesse Katz combines 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc in this blockbuster of a deal, a flavorful, well-crafted wine that impresses in its voluptuous body and spicy seasoning. Raspbery syrup, tar and a mix of cedar and sage accent a grip of tannin that softens in the glass .” 2013 Right Bank Blend — VIRGINIE B OONE, WINE E NTHUSIAST M AGAZINE “As a chef I realized early on that the little details are what separates average from great. My friend and Alexander Valley neighbor, Jesse Katz, has brought his keen eye for terroir and attention to detail to this masterful wine.” — D OUG K EANE, TOP C HEF M ASTER info@aperture-cellars.com.com | www.aperture-cellars.com | 707.843.0266 W I N E I N F O R M AT I O N 2013 APERTURE CABERNET SAUVIGNON FOCUS ON SOIL | FOCUS ON WINE | FOCUS ON LIFE GROWING SEASON In 2013 the Alexander Valley experienced one of the greatest vintages in its history. With virtually no rain since the last December, the growing season began early. Because we farm many of our blocks with minimal irrigation and at times even dry-farm, the lack of spring rain kept berry size down to the smallest we have seen on these sites. This increased concentration but with a lengthy growing season and a cooler summer than 2012, we were able to achieve very fine, ripe tannins with bright, fresh acidy. Almost perfect. WINEMAKER NOTES All of our fruit is hand harvested and brought into the winery within hours of being picked. Everything is methodically and obsessively sorted. A cold soak of 4-7 days with minimal air incorporation starts the extraction and then cool fermentations with native yeast carry out the remaining. Air and temperature are controlled throughout the 10-15 day fermentation and extended maceration is determined lot by lot when I walk the fine line of full extraction but still keep an elegant and silky texture. Wines go through malolactic fermentation in barrel and are aged (sur-lees) for 18-24 months. Bottled unfinned, unfiltered, and un-acidified. APPELLATION: Alexander Valley VARIETAL: Cabernet Sauvignon BLEND: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malbec VINEYARD: Mix of eastern hillsides that are South, and South West facing with a bench land block that is mostly dry-farmed. SOIL TYPE: Volcanic Soils We specifically work with some of the most unique sites throughout Alexander Valley that focus on well drained, volcanic soils, with little organic material to control vigor and growth. Many are in the Eastern hillsides of Alexander Valley that have amazingly deep, red Volcanic soils. BARREL PROGRAM Aged 22 months, 50% new oak, 60 gallon French oak barrels from the center of France. CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLE VINEYARD UNFINED, UNFILTERED AND UN-ACIDIFIED - Winemaker Jesse Katz info@aperture-cellars.com.com | www.aperture-cellars.com | 707.843.0266 W I N E I N F O R M AT I O N 2013 APERTURE RED BLEND FOCUS ON SOIL | FOCUS ON WINE | FOCUS ON LIFE GROWING SEASON In 2013 the Alexander Valley experienced one of the greatest vintages in its history. With virtually no rain since the last December, the growing season began early. Because we farm many of our blocks with minimal irrigation and at times even dry-farm, the lack of spring rain kept berry size down to the smallest we have seen on these sites. This increased concentration but with a lengthy growing season and a cooler summer than 2012, we were able to achieve very fine, ripe tannins with bright, fresh acidity. Almost perfect. WINEMAKER NOTES All of our fruit is hand harvested and brought into the winery within hours of being picked. Everything is methodically and obsessively sorted each year. A cold soak of 4-7 days with minimal air incorporation starts the extraction and then cool fermentations with native yeast carry out the remaining. Air and temperature are controlled throughout the 10-15 day fermentation and extended maceration is determined lot by lot when I walk the fine line of full extraction but still keep an elegant and silky texture. Wines go through malolactic fermentation in barrel and are aged (sur-lees) for 18-24 months. Bottled unfined, unfiltered, and un-acidified. APPELLATION: Alexander Valley VARIETAL: Merlot and Cabernet Franc BLEND: 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc VINEYARD: All hillside vineyards that keep berry size down. South and South East facing for the early ripening varietals. SOIL TYPE: Red Blend: Clay Our vineayrd blocks that compose the Red Blend are all Clay soil type. This clay helps some of the early ripening varietals lengthen their growing season so we get full phenolic ripeness while also keeping a freshness in the fruit characteristic. BARREL PROGRAM: Aged 22 months in oak, 50% new, 60 gallon French oak barrels from the center of France. CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLE VINEYARD UNFINED, UNFILTERED AND UN-ACIDIFIED - Winemaker Jesse Katz info@aperture-cellars.com.com | www.aperture-cellars.com | 707.843.0266 W I N E I N F O R M AT I O N 2013 DEVIL PROOF MALBEC FARROW R ANCH GROWING SEASON In 2013 the Alexander Valley experienced one of the greatest vintages in its history. With virtually no rain since the last December, the growing season began early. Because we farm many of our blocks with minimal irrigation and at times even dry-farm, the lack of spring rain kept berry size down to the smallest we have seen on these sites. This increased concentration but with a lengthy growing season and a cooler summer than the previous vintage. We were able to achieve very fine, ripe tannins with bright, fresh acidy. Almost perfect. WINEMAKER NOTES All of our fruit is hand harvested and brought into the winery within hours of being picked. Everything is methodically and obsessively sorted. A cold soak of 4-7 days with minimal air incorporation starts the extraction and then cool fermentations with native yeast carry out the remaining. Air and temperature are controlled throughout the 10-15 day fermentation and extended maceration is determined lot by lot when I walk the fine line of full extraction but still keeping an elegant and silky texture. Wines go through malolactic fermentation in barrel and are aged (sur-lees) for 18-24 months. Bottled unfined, unfiltered, and un-acidified. APPELLATION: Alexander Valley VARIETAL: Malbec BLEND: 100% Malbec VINEYARD: Dry Farmed, Hillside SOIL TYPE: Suther Loam & Pleasnton Gravelly Loam There are few sites where a single vineyard, yet alone a single block, is better than a blend of multiple parcels. It is unique when one block contains in itself all the compoenents of an exceptional wine and exhibits a true essence of terroir. This rare gem is Block #17 at Farrow Ranch for Devil Proof. The volcanic soil is ideally suited to this Malbec with a combination of Suther Loam and Pleasanton Gravelly Loam. This block was planted in 2002 with a mix of Clone 4 and Clone 595 Malbec grafted to 1103P grapevine rootstock. A large steep hillside sits just adjacent, creating great air movement through the vines, further enhancing the wide diurnal temperature swings the region is famous for. This gives us beautifully ripe fruit while still keeping the berries fresh and acidity firm. BARREL PROGRAM: Aged 22 months, 100% new oak, 60 gallon French oak barrels from the center of France. UNFINED, UNFILTERED AND UN-ACIDIFIED - Winemaker Jesse Katz info@devilproofvineyards.com | www.devilproofvineyards.com | 707.843.0266