2021 Ceritas Cabernet Sauvignon Peter Martin Ray Vineyard - USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains (10/11/2025)
What's there to say? There's a reason I keep buying this wine, despite it violating my "I'm-not-gonna-buy-a-wine-above-$100-ever-rule".
Dusty, earthy, mushroomy - as soil on your gullet. As a fellow winemaker, I'm in awe at how the oak is so beautifully integrated, to the point where you'd swear there isn't any on it at all (but from what I've heard it's 70%). You certainly don't feel it.
And at 13% ABV, it's one of those rare Cabs that feel fully resolved at that level - most other producers rely on ripeness to get to the same point, which I think is the reason these wines are so earthy and elegant.
I'll keep buying until I'm priced out. (96 points)
Funnily enough, left half a bottle pumped in fridge of this, because I’m going up to Napa myself tomorrow for a harvest, so I’ll see how it behaves on day 3 when I’m back. I have given wife strict instructions not to drink it (as she has a undemanding palate, although not full Yak, thank god ).
Already in glass after a few hours the Ceritas has evolved quite a bit. And there’s nothing in this world I love more than a wine that evolves in glass as you drink it, so that every sip is a new experience. One of the reasons I love this wine so much.
Just got back from Napa this afternoon and we shared the half bottle at dinner. Pumped, in fridge:
My oh my, even better. Just perfectly velvety and luxurious on the palate after all that time, but with no loss of vitals. This wine can go the distance.
I attended an industry tasting of PMR Cabs with some of the producers in attendance several years ago. That included mini-verticals and some non-commercial wines from the vineyard manager and from the vineyard co-owner. Impressive across the board. With the Birichino and Ceritas bottles only the oldest vintage was singing, with the rest pretty tight. I guess those oldest ('16 Ceritas and '17 Birichino) were about the age equivalent of where this '21 is now. I half-expected your note to be of a not fully open wine.
Anyway, I’m a buyer. I also get to help Rob pick for the Sandar & Hem version. It’s really blocks of the Mount Eden vineyard, but still head trained and managed separately.
My palate is skewed. I love young wines that are a bit angular and evolve in glass. I’m prob not a good arbiter. The 2017’s probably a lot better suited for opening now.
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