Laurel Glen, Sonoma Mountain (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

 There is something new and exciting afoot at Laurel Glen Vineyard, which had thrived for 30 years under the principled and exacting guidance of Patrick Campbell. He sold the winery in 2011 to a group headed by Bettina Sichel, daughter of the legendary Peter Sichel, who once upon a time made the German wine Blue Nun famous and did wonders for Bordeaux, too. Bettina has put together an all-star team on the operations side, starting with famed viticulturist Phil Coturri. Randall Watkins is the lead winemaker, in consultation with David Ramey, one of California’s most sought-after enologists. The 2011 Cab is the new team’s first release and, whether by design or by an accident of nature, the result is a California Cabernet with Bordeaux sensibilities. While rich and lush, it pays homage to structure and elegance. This complex Cab exhibits aromas of both red and black fruits, with a gentle whiff of Cabernet’s herbal side, so often found in young Bordeaux.