The Amista Vineyards tasting room opened in 2007. That’s the same year that The Wine Spies was founded, and Amista was one of the very first wineries that we visited with. We fell in love with their wines way back then, and we’re thrilled today to be able to bring you their very special Cabernet, at an extraordinary price.

After a nearly 5 year absence from our pages, Amista Vineyards is back… with an Ultra QPR bang! Today’s Amista Vineyards 2012 Alta Presa Vineyards Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. This alluring, quaffable wine is one of the best Dry Creek Cabs that we’ve ever tasted - which is really saying something!

This Cab has a deep garnet core that spreads out first to brick and then magenta. The nose is very alluring with a mixed bouquet of boysenberry, sandalwood, cigar box, tobacco, and fruitcake. It is extremely approachable with delicious flavors of raspberry, fig, cedar, currant, plum compote, and baking spice. This wine is just elegant with soft supple tannin, perfect balance, and a nice medium body that coats the palate evenly from about mid-palate to the back for a very long finish. This versatile Cabernet could go lots of different directions, so you won’t go wrong. Try a bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin and you’ll be particularly happy.

The Dry Creek Valley AVA in northeastern Sonoma (north of Healdsburg) County is somewhat warmer and wetter than the neighboring Russian River Valley AVA region just to the south, and the Alexander Valley AVA just to the east. The warmer and wetter climate provides great versatility with regard to the types of grapes that can be effectively cultivated in the region.

Hurry!