It’s been 20 years since Rick Wasem and Lynn DeVlemming launched Basalt Cellars, and a key component to their success has been Bacchus Vineyard Cab off Sagemoor in the White Bluffs. This bottling seems to reflect that work with historic vines, capturing a sense of New World and Old World as a third of the blend involves DeVlemming’s 2-acre estate vineyard. There’s plum and black currant at play, along with savory notes of tapenade and Herbes de Provence. It shows restraint with oak while still being beautifully expressive and layered. “People who really appreciate a Cab of finesse will respond to this,” predicted one judge. Qualifying awards: Los Angeles Invitational (gold), Pacific Rim (gold)
Rating: Platinum • 93 points
Production: 96 cases
Alcohol: 14.3%
Leave a Reply