Kamen Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (750ml)

 

Rated 94 Points by Vinous

 

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is mostly Martini clone from the core of the estate.  A heady, ample wine, the 2019 is endowed with striking opulence.  Blackberry jam, chocolate, spice, new leather, licorice and mocha shows tremendous depth.  Attractive floral notes emerge with a bit of aeration, adding brightness.  The contours are remarkably soft for a young mountain Cabernet.  These wines age beautifully, their youthful opulence notwithstanding, so I would not be in a rush here.  Antonio Galloni

 

Rated 93 Points by Wine Spectator

 

Alluring, with steeped plum and cassis notes cruising through, backed by lively licorice snap, bramble and sweet tobacco accents.  A long echo of singed alder permeates on the finish.  Best from 2023 through 2034.  James Molesworth

 

Kamen Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

 

Moon Mountain District

 

Sonoma County

 

Tasting Notes

 

The 2019 Kamen Estate Cabernet offers a dazzling array of aromatics.  Raspberry pie, strawberry compote, espresso bean, candied cherries and marzipan are at the forefront.  As the wine evolves in the glass, beautiful notes of violets and lavender pop, elevating the opulent fruit.  Notes of new suede, black cardamom and dark chocolate add complexity to the layers.

 

The flavors are sumptuous and wrapped in an envelope of mouthwatering minerality.  A framework of seamless tannins complete this incredibly balanced wine and the finish is layered and savory.  Somewhat youthful, decanting is recommended.  Enjoy over the next 15–20 years.

 

Winegrowing Information

 

In 2019, we experienced a late bud break.  What started off as another drought year was saved by a welcomed five inches of rain in May that produced lush vigor in the vines.  The growing season was marvelously consistent with no major heat spikes.  This allowed for slow ripening, long hang time and optimum flavors.

 

Vineyard Information

 

Estate Grown:  100% Cabernet Sauvignon, Southern Mayacamas Mountains

 

Elevation:  1100–1450 ft., Moon Mountain District, Certified Organic Vineyards

 

Production & Technical Data

 

Alcohol:  15.5%

 

Production:  2300 Cases

 

Release Date:  November 2022     

    

 

Kamen Estate Wines

 

Ripe Fruit.  Low Yields.  High Quality

 

Acquiring the Land

 

In 1980, Robert Mark Kamen came to Sonoma to celebrate the sale of his first screen play.  While hiking the rugged hillsides of the Southern Mayacamas Mountains, Robert came upon a piece of property with breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay.  Remote, rugged, and without roads, water or electricity, the 280 acres had an immediate visceral impact on Robert.  A week later the property was his.

 

From the beginning, Robert had a clear concept of what he intended for his property.  First and foremost was the desire to plant the highest quality mountain grown Cabernet Sauvignon, while holding true to the pristine spirit of the land.

 

From Grape Grower to Wine Grower

 

Initially the fruit grown at Kamen Estate was sold to premium Sonoma wineries.  In 1996, a devastating fire tore through the property destroying half of the vines along with Robert’s home.  Where others would see this as a tremendous setback, Robert’s credo, “Everything happens for a reason”, held sway.  The fire forced him to focus not on what had been lost, but on what could be gained.  Out of the experience he decided to stop selling grapes and began to make his own wines.  A major replanting began as soon as the ground cooled.  Cutting edge viticultural techniques were employed, new selections of Cabernet clones were chosen and different rootstocks were used.  The first release of Kamen Estate Cabernet Sauvignon was in 1999.

 

Robert Mark Kamen

 

Proprietor

 

Growing up in a city housing project in the Bronx and earning a Ph.D in American Studies from the University of Pennsylvania, Robert believes everything happens for a reason, and yet nothing in his life was ever planned.  His screenwriting career started quickly with the unexpected sale of his first screenplay in 1979.  While visiting friends in Sonoma to celebrate this success, he happened upon the 280 acre property.  After falling in love with the view, he purchased what is now his vineyard estate and the muse for his bottled screenplay – Kamen Estate Wines.

 

Robert has enjoyed an uninterrupted film career with over twenty of his screenplays becoming major motion pictures, among them: Taps, The Karate Kid series, The Fifth Element, The Professional, Unleashed, Colombiana, the Transporter series, A Walk in the Clouds, the Taken series and Angel Has Fallen.  Robert lives full-time on the vineyard with his wife Evonne, where visitors often find him writing at his desk and worrying about the weather.

 

 

Rated 93 Points by Wine Spectator

 

Alluring, with steeped plum and cassis notes cruising through, backed by lively licorice snap, bramble and sweet tobacco accents.  A long echo of singed alder permeates on the finish.  Best from 2023 through 2034.  James Molesworth