TN: 2021 Model Farm Berger Vineyard Cab Sonoma Mtn

Model Farm and I go back a ways. Through Sean at Rhys, and then Joanna at Kutch, this is how I met them. And I am glad both have stayed the course and keep making Model Farm. I buy the Chards, which I dig. Along with Kutch, these are the only CA chards I keep in my cellar. And I keep no Cab, mainly because the modern stuff isn’t to my taste. But, I stayed alongside the Model Farm Cab project and from the side watched them bring it along, and they produced their first wine from the 2021 vintage, which I have been drinking the past few days. Listed at 13.5%, and only neutral oak used, it’s the kind of Cab I can drink, and want to drink. And uniquely, I see how Sean and Joanna’s syrah thinking and farming can influence a wine like this. My note below speaks to it. I love the passion they have for wine, and the stuff they make. For $80, this is the stuff I want to drink.

  • 2021 Model Farm Cabernet Sauvignon Berger Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Mountain (2/1/2025)
    Opened yesterday, working through more of the bottle today. For me, the influence of the Model Farm syrah program shows in this wine. There is something savory about it, syrah-like. Garrigue, maybe even some lavender and the cool red-fruited acidity. Just resonates cool climate syrah. Where the Cabernet comes in is in the cedar, tobacco leaf and cherry, although I suppose cassis (as it shows in the critical reviews) may be what some might say but I don't use or have cassis around but cherry I do. I know red fruit, this wine says it. And there is an interesting light powdered cocoa thing that floats through the fruit, just enough of it to add a little riff on the wine (they use only neutral Bdx wood). Yet, it's nothing like the chocolate bar stuff that I personally don't dig in modern Cabernet. Some like it, I don't. Past the cocoa, the finish shows charcoal, and some tar (akin again to syrah). There is a beautiful juiciness to this wine, which when the acidity is joined to it, just really delicious. This is the first vintage of the Berger Vineyard Cab that they have made from Sonoma Mtn. It's $80 and it's damn good. I've got the 2022, I'll try that one in a few weeks.

Posted from CellarTracker


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They make beautiful wine.

Joanna has a palate that’s off the charts good. We blind tasted with her at Jamie’s house. First time I met her and I was like “what planet is she from?” LOL

I think of both Joanna Wells and Astrid Keel in this same refined skillset. I love drinking with Astrid because she makes me think. Joanna has that same keen sense and confidence about what is in her glass, yet humble.

I wish more women posted here and shared their impressions. It is lacking in our forum, lacking.

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