Team C&J
Picture the perfect Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon, and you have the 2007 Knights Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon. We’re not going to beat around the bush on this one: this wine is absolutely amazing. How blown away were we when we sampled this California Cabernet? Let’s just say that we gave this bottle one of our highest ratings ever!
So many wine lovers who gravitate to Cabernet will tell you that Napa Valley and Bordeaux produce the best wines they have ever tried, but there is a serious case to be made for the Cabs coming out of the Knights Valley AVA. This lesser-known region punches way above its weight when it comes to quality grape production and winemaking talent.
Knights Bridge Winery is owned by Jim and Essel Bailey and their longtime friend, Tom Costin. The trio, along with their wives, purchased what would become Knights Bridge Winery in 2006, and the first vintage would be released that same year. One of the pros of purchasing a property with mature vines and a working wine facility was that this setup allowed them to jump right into their new brand.
Until 2013, all of the grapes that found their way into bottles of Knights Bridge wine were sourced from Napa Valley vineyards, the most notable of which were Andy Beckstoffer’s To Kalon and Dr. Crane. Perhaps then, it’s not quite so astounding that the 2007 vintage, which we review here, is such a captivating wine.
Today, all of the grapes for both the Knights Bridge label and the brand’s secondary label, KB Wines, are sourced from the property’s own Knights Valley vineyards, which are organically farmed. It would be interesting to taste these wines side-by-side to see how they compare with one another.
While most of the vineyard is planted with world-class Cabernet Sauvignon, there are also small blocks of white grapes, namely Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Sémillon, as well as complementary Bordeaux varieties like Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc.
Knights Bridge wines are made by Director of Winemaking Douglas Danielak and Assistant Winemaker Derek Baljeu, who was promoted to the position in 2019. Danielak crafts some of the best Bordeaux wines we have ever tried, but his true passion actually lies in Burgundy. In addition to overseeing the winemaking at Knights Bridge, he also has his own boutique label, Pont Neuf Wines, which is focused on producing Burgundian-inspired Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Knights Valley is located right in the middle of Sonoma’s Mayacamas Mountains and Napa Valley’s Mount St. Helena. This Sonoma County AVA is one of the warmest in Sonoma and produces exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varietals on the roughly 2,000 acres that are planted to vines.
It’s also worth mentioning that the drive through Knights Valley, the one that connects Napa and Sonoma, is one of the most beautiful drives in this part of California. Expansive cattle ranches sit alongside pristine vineyards with endless rows of grapes and mountains lining the backdrop.
Knights Bridge Winery recently moved its downtown Calistoga tasting room back to its property in Knights Valley. The winery offers private, by-appointment tastings in their private salon, and each tasting comes with a winery and cave tour.
The 2007 Knights Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon from the Knights Valley AVA is a deep garnet color in the glass with impeccable clarity. The nose is rich and brooding. There is plenty of spice, earth, and dark fruit, but also subtle notes of sharp bell pepper and mint. Think cigar box, oak, leather, tobacco, and black currant leading the way, but softer herbs following.
The wine’s palate sings with robust notes of black cherry and leather that are complemented by more cigar box, mint, and juicy blackberry. Secondary undertones of graphite, cedar, and tobacco add intriguing layers. The tannins in this wine are pretty pronounced, but the extra age in the bottle seems to have softened them a bit. But, make no mistake, this wine has a lot of structure.
The real joy in this Sonoma Valley Cabernet is the finish. It’s well-balanced and leaves a lasting impression.
This wine has spent 16 years in the bottle, and it’s ready to be enjoyed right now. If you’re still cellaring it, dreaming up a hearty dinner, or planning a night with friends, this wine is so perfect it will knock your socks off. Truly an outstanding California Cabernet.
USA
Knights Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon
15.5
Douglas Danielak
62–68°F / 16–20°C
Burgundy
1 Hour
Now to 2037
Knights Bridge Winery
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