“The Arbuckle Ridge portfolio delivers ample pleasure… When I find myself selecting something I tasted earlier in the day to drink with dinner that same night, that says a lot.” – Vinous

They continue, “Winemaker Scotty Saunders sources fruit from his estate vineyard in eastern Paso Robles and from around the region. The soils in the estate vineyard consist of magnesium-rich clay, which helps with water retention during dry seasons. The vineyard spans a 500-foot range in elevations, climbing from 900 to 1,400 feet.”

For just Under $35 for a single-vineyard Cab out of Paso’s Willow Creek District… crazzzy!

Never on our radar before. They are now and staying there!!! That label had us before the wine did: a rock arch cut into the California coast, a natural gateway if we’ve ever seen one. Fitting, since this is entirely from the Gateway Vineyard, one of those quietly shared exceptional Willow Creek sites. LXV has bottled it with critical acclaim, and so has Booker for their second label, My Favorite Neighbor. Both fetch a fair amount more $$$.

When a vineyard keeps turning up like that, it’s worth paying attention. Although the wine speaks for itself and then some. At least the critics thought so….

James Suckling landed this at 93 points, calling out concentrated currant and mountain berry fruit sliced through with graphite-like minerals.” Vinous too remarks “a saline inflection to mingle with fine tannins while tapering off with unexpected freshness.”

And as some of our own Spies indulged in this 100% pure Cabernet Sauvignon, they chimed in: “Tasty”, “Well Done!”, “Young, and it’s a keeper & will age well…” How could this unassuming coastal ocean pic label deliver such deliciousness?!?!

Saunders is a fifth-gen Paso Robles native who grew up among the vines before he could legally drink what came from them. Arbuckle Ridge is his passion project, born from a single barrel in 2011, separate from his family’s other winery, Hearst Ranch.

In the glass, it’s a baby, but trust us, it will reward you and your friends to impress many years later. Though, if you do want to enjoy it now, it’s best to open it up a few hours before you want to drink it. We highly recommend a full decant.

Dark cocoa and cedar sit next to blackberry and graphite minerality on the nose. Its palate explodes with succulent boysenberry, plum, a mineral edge with refreshing acidity, and a finish that keeps going. It is medium-bodied, very reminiscent of classical mountain fruit textures. This wine was incredible on day 2 as well, and honestly, if it weren’t so darn tasty, we’d have loved to see it evolve to day 3 too, but OOPS, it was too good! That always happens with delicious wines! We lack willpower! Do you?

It was such a great surprise, and it kept us engaged long after Tasting Day One. We are looking forward to seeing what else comes from Scott in the years to come! Like Emperor Palpatine of Star Wars would say, “We’ll be watching Scott’s career with great interest.

At over 60% OFF it’s a no-brainer. By the way, we took all that Scott had left, so get in on it before it’s gone. The snooze you lose applies here!

93 Points – James Suckling “The currants and mountain berries of this concentrated cabernet are sliced with graphite-like minerals and a whiff of cedar and cigar box through the finish. Taut and detailed for all of its underlying muscle. Best after 2027.”

92 Points – Vinous “The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Gateway Vineyard mixes dusty lavender with cedar shavings and spiced black cherries. It sweeps across the palate with silken textures as tart black fruits and mineral tones slowly saturate toward the close. Peppery and long, the 2023 leaves a saline inflection to mingle with fine tannins while tapering off with unexpected freshness.”