Our Rating
50% Lake County / 50% Amador County
Red Blend
The 2022 Due Viti TWO-POINT-O Reserve is a straightforward California expression of a Super Tuscan blend, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Sangiovese. This isn’t a flashy bottle, but it’s clearly built with intention. The fruit is from two warm, high-elevation regions, and the winemaking is tight and focused. With a one-hour decant, it opens up well and settles into a groove where structure and ripeness work in sync.
Laguna Canyon Winery was founded in 2005 by J.J. Huber, who brought his urban winery concept from Canada to the beachside streets of Laguna Beach. Before moving south, Huber had launched two successful wineries in the Vancouver area. The idea for Laguna Canyon was to combine high-quality California grapes with hands-on, small-batch production in a laid-back coastal setting.
Though based in Southern California, Huber sources grapes from more established growing regions across the state. He prefers classic French varietals—Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah, and Chardonnay—though the equipment leans Italian, with traditional-style crush machines and methods. The winery has found a steady following in the Orange County wine community, picking up medals over the years, including a Double Gold at the 2018 OC Fair Wine Competition. The Due Viti TWO-POINT-O continues in that tradition of quality-focused, regional blends made in limited runs. We reviewed another of Laguna Canyon Winery’s phenomenal wines, the 2016 Chaparral Cuvée.
Heather Nenow and JJ worked together on this vintage. She holds a master’s degree in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis and has worked at Columbia Winery (E & J Gallo) and Woodbridge under Constellation. Before arriving in California, she was the head winemaker at Belle Fiore in Oregon.
Nenow brings a clean, restrained approach to the cellar. Her style is technical and consistent, and she seems to favor letting the fruit speak without overworking the wine. In this blend, she pulls Cabernet Sauvignon from Lake County and Sangiovese from Amador County. Both are warm regions, and both contribute different strengths—Cabernet brings tannin and backbone; Sangiovese adds lift and red fruit. The two come together here without either one dominating.
The 2022 Due Viti TWO-POINT-O Reserve is unfiltered and aged in 50% new American oak and 50% new French oak. In the glass, it shows deep garnet color with high viscosity. Clarity and brightness are both clean and day-bright.
The nose is pronounced, with red plum, raspberry, and cherry leading. There’s a layer of dried cardamom and potpourri, plus a bit of toasty oak and some earthy, dried herb notes underneath. It’s not overly aromatic, but it’s consistent and well-developed.
On the palate, this is a full-bodied red with high tannins and high alcohol. The acidity is medium-minus, but there’s enough structure to keep things from feeling too soft. Flavors mirror the nose: strawberry, black cherry, and plum up front, with spice notes like cinnamon and black pepper adding depth. There’s also a bit of olive, chicory, and lavender on the mid-palate and finish, giving it a savory edge.
The oak is integrated but noticeable, adding more texture than flavor. The wine finishes long, with firm tannins and lingering dark fruit. It’s clean and balanced, but definitely benefits from time. Straight from the bottle, it’s tight. After an hour of decanting, it opens into something much more complete.
The 2022 Due Viti TWO-POINT-O Reserve is a focused and well-executed Super Tuscan-style blend made in California. It balances fruit, structure, and oak without leaning too far in any direction. It’s not a showy wine, but it holds up with time and food, and it reflects solid winemaking from both vineyard and cellar.
We scored it a solid 92 points, and Wine Enthusiast gave it 91. Only 48 cases were made, so availability is limited. For those who appreciate restrained, structured blends with a nod to Italian tradition, this one is worth a look, especially if you’re willing to let it breathe.
USA
50% Lake County / 50% Amador County
Red Blend
14.5
Heather Nenow
1 Hour
Now to 2032
Laguna Canyon Winery
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