2009 Old World Winery Two Rock Block Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Dry Creek Valley < Sonoma < California           

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon        

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Biodynamic farming, dry-farmed vineyards at the Mounts Bench Vineyard which is comprised of shale or fractured rock, with a crust of loamy soil; foot stomped with 20% stem add-backs and allowed to macerate for a full two weeks, then pressed to neutral barrels and aged sur lie for 2 years - never racked, and aged sure lie for two years, then aged in bottle for 10 years; unfined/unfiltered with zero added SO2; 12.6% ABV; 180 cases
Winemaker: Darek Trowbridge

Darek is one of the OG Cali natural winemakers, having made low-intervention wine in Sonoma for 20 years, way before it was a thing.  In fact, he named his winery ‘Old World’, because he’s all about a return to the old-world methods of his grandfather Lino Martinelli (of Martinelli wine/cider fame), who started making wine in the early 1900s, with no technology or chemicals.  Derek adds nothing to the wine except a minimal amount of protective sulfur before bottling. He has no press, just his feet (and the feet of his friends who respond to his cattle call for help) to stomp the grapes. He uses no temperature control or additives of any kind, including sulfur. 

This smells rich and foresty, like the Cab of our dreams: blackberry, black cherry, dark plum with and black pepper and spice. And it tastes like old-school Sonoma cab, with brambly blackberry, overripe raspberry and baked plums with black spice. Bright acidity is supported by bold tannins and big dark fruit, but it comes in an elegant, low-ABV (12.6% ABV) package.  In our opinion, Darek is one of California’s top winemakers – and perhaps the best kept secret in the state. He’s also one of the nicest people we know. For a biodynamic Sonoma Cab of this pedigree and quality with *10 years* of bottle age to be priced under $40 is insane. 

Here's what Darek has to say about why he held back the Two Rock for 10 years: "It was a tannic monster and needed time for its close up.  It wasn't the intention to keep it this long but we focused on other wines and literally just let it sleep.  It is not a common thing to offer inventory on a cellar selection like we have on that one and at that pricing but it's fundamental to what I am doing - demonstrating elevage by holding a few wines longer, making them affordable, so that our natural wine friends can get a glimpse past the current rage of imbibing only "Fresh and Fruity".  To me what I am doing is a demonstration of tertiary flavor, nuance, and subtle complexity in a glass of experience as a "Sitting Wine", something to sit and have a conversation with a friend by." 

Two Rock Cab is a little pricier than we usually do in the mixed case selections, but this is such a special bottle we wanted you all to have a chance to try it. Because small guys like Darek need exposure and your support to keep doing what they do. Fall in love, reorder, win-win!