In the rolling hills of the Alexander Valley, you will find the home of a wonderful estate that my most recent bottle to blog about calls home. Roth Estate Winery, owned by Leslie Mead Renaud, was founded in 2001 with the purpose of producing Bordeaux varietals. A decade later, Leslie is producing a fine Cabernet, with production just fewer than 10,000 cases, that I had the pleasure of tasting.
The terroir consists of volcanic-based soil that gives character to the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that grow on the Sonoma Coast estate. Roth is known for producing concentrated and complex wines, which is clearly shown in their 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon. As most California Cab lovers know, 2012 was an excellent year for Cabernet Sauvignon on the North Coast, meriting a 96 point rating overall from Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate Vintage Guide.
When I opened this bottle, I expected a big, bold California Cabernet which is exactly what was waiting for me in the glass. Composed of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot, this bottle did not disappoint! Class is the one word that came to mind after my first few tastes. I popped and poured it during the prepping of a vegetable lasagna, then finished the bottle with my last bite of baklava cheesecake. I usually enjoy a glass while cooking, and that day I was very happy with my choice of wine.
Robert Parker tasted the 2012 Roth Cabernet in December of 2014 and wrote, “The other cuvée I tasted is a 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley... This is a big cuvée of 9,941 cases, and again the pricing seems fair, especially for a wine at this level of quality. Full-bodied with a dense, ruby/purple color, and notes of new oak intermixed with blackcurrant, licorice, graphite and spice box, it possesses supple tannins, a subtle earthiness and a nice, long aftertaste. This is a heck-of-a mouthful of Cabernet Sauvignon that should age for at least a decade or more. The price is very modest.”
It does not get much better than $21.95 for a Cali Cab, especially when it received a 91 point rating from Robert Parker. Like he said, “The price is very modest”. The 2012 Roth Cabernet Sauvignon would make a great house wine, gift or simply a bottle to look forward to paired with a meal. I know I enjoyed mine!