“Medlock Ames turns out some terrific dark reds.” – Sunset Magazine

$275, $188, $200, $165, $209… just a smattering of prices for other wines made under the hospices of this ultra-talented consultant Jean Hoefliger.

This one? Released at $110 it’s a deep bargain amongst his Cabs. With 55% OFF it’s A DOLLAR PER TON.

He also racks up huge scores like it’s nothing. This beast has 94 points from Jeb plus a couple of 93s.

His magic is so in demand that he comes with his own (tech sheet!) worth a read if you want to see just how prolific his span of work is.

And what he does with this mountain fruit is fantastic!

Chris Medlock James and Ames Morison are college best friends who left the hustle of Manhattan for the rolling hills of Sonoma. They knew what they wanted from the very beginning. Driving around Chalk Hill, their vision was realized at Bell Mountain Ranch, that charming spot where Russian River Valley meets Alexander Valley. Ames is the winemaking force here, reaching for hillside Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varieties that exude power without excess. To that end, they have taken organic viticulture and sustainability to a whole new level.

The press came soon after their launch when Food & Wine declared Nirvana in Sonoma! announcing that “up on Bell Mountain, Medlock Ames winery produces amazing wines in a utopian setting.”

The story here goes that when Chris and Ames arrived at Bell Mountain, the natural vineyard terraces that wrapped the steep hillsides were in ruins. To restore them, and help the vines bounce back, they had to move massive boulders by hand, one by one, as a family project. The 50 TONS worth of rock they had to move - from those very same hillsides blocks picked for it - name this wine, symbolizing the most “structured and muscular” barrels that make up their reserve program.

Power and polish are on full display here. We featured the 2019 and it was a crowd-pleaser FOR SURE! And the 2020 is just as good if not even better! Dark plum, exotic woods, and lovely dried herbs on the nose lead harmoniously towards a full-bodied palate. Smooth, lush tannins with bright acidity and layers of blackberries, currants, violets, and granite. This is one for the ages for sure so be sure you get enough to watch this beauty evolve.

High quality, small quantity - get it while it’s here!

94 Points – Jeb Dunnuck “From the Bell Mountain Vineyard, the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Fifty Tons is all Cabernet Sauvignon and presents a saturated red color and a very impressively detailed nose of cassis, resinous herbs, pine, and turned earth. Full-bodied, it retains very good balance, with even tannins, a refined, plush texture all the way through, and the balanced freshness to keep it from feeling weighted down. Drink this over the next 15 years. Drink 2024-2039.”

93 Points – The Wine Independent “Deep garnet-purple in color, the single-varietal 2020 Fifty Tons Cabernet Sauvignon rolls out of the glass with notes of creme de cassis, baked black plums, and boysenberry preserves followed by hints of forest floor, black truffles, and tapenade. The full-bodied palate has appealing brightness and ripe grainy tannins to support the black berry flavors, finishing with a minty lift. Drink 2023-2040.”

93 Points – James Suckling “From an estate vineyard that escaped smoke effects in 2020’s fire, this softly tannic wine seems to melt in the mouth. It is broad and smooth, layered in dark plums, cinnamon and toast nuances but mostly pure, ripe fruit. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”