The moderate temperature changes on top of the mountain, due to the terroir and diurnal shifts, result in wines with massive—but soft—tannins. The ample aromas of wild blue and blackberries are layered over aromas that hint of minerals and hot, dusty rocks. Aging this wine in 43% new French oak brings in toasty, smoky aromas with a touch of cinnamon, dark chocolate and dusty cocoa. The mouth feel is of a big wine with significant, but soft, tannins, finishing long and balanced overall. The wine is definitely young at the time of these notes. The aging potential should be very good—it can easily age for 10 or more years.

96 Point Review - Sommelier & Wine Critic From the first sniff of the glass, Miro’s new release of 2012 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon opens up with powerful notes of wild berries, minerals, dark chocolate, and dried herbs interlaced with tobacco. The flavors are dynamic with deep, lavish notes of black raspberry, blackberry, blueberry and cassis. The oak is integrated with notes of spice, roasted walnuts and dried coconut; the finish is long and elegant; and there’s plenty of firm structure and chewy tannins. Meaning, the wine is approachable when young and equally lovable after with some lock-down time in the cellar.

With food, it’s an ideal wine to pair with juicy buffalo burgers, slow-roasted meats, lamb shank, elaborate stews, and hearty cheeses. In short, think of this Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon as a secret weapon loaded explosive flavors which can dazzle the palates of many happy victims for years to come. Job well done, Miro (a.k.a. Agent Horse & Rider).

Vineyard Notes Silverwood Vineyard is located almost at the top of Cloverdale’s Pine Mountain—the newest appellation in Sonoma County. The vineyard is at 2200 feet elevation above the meandering Russian River down in the valley. The soil there is as rugged as it gets: mostly decomposed rock and shale. This is extreme viticulture! The allure of mountain grown grapes is the extended sunshine and more intense solar radiation. This vineyard is above the fog layer and experiences milder temperature inversions—cool days and warmer nights. All of that contributes to abundant but soft tannins, deep dark color and pronounced fruity aromas in the blueberry-blackberry spectrum.