Pied a Terre Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma 2016

You probably already know Richard Luftig whose tenure on the New York wine scene left an indelible mark. Felidia won Wine Spectator’s “Grand Award” every single year, he drove Jonathan Waxman’s Washington Park wine program to universal renown, before taking on the Bowery Group’s Cookshop.

His extremely high standards for wine were intense and now that he’s got his own Sonoma winery, the standards have never been higher. And if things aren’t up to his standards, he’s willing to put his money where his mouth is like in 2011 and 2020 when he just flat out refused to make any wine those years. 

Lucky for us 2016 was a miracle vintage – the best in almost 30 years (since 1999) and Richard did not let the opportunity slip by. The key to Richard’s success is not just his palate but what he decided to do. Somehow, he was able to taste the inherent quality in three varying vineyards sources but remarkably knew how that puzzle all fits together. 

He tasted years ago and locked into long term contracts with vigorous quality controls. The first two vineyards are in the Dry Creek. The first is on the valley floor where it sucks up heat and provides immense concentration and crunchy fruits to the blend. Vineyard number 2 (Nimble Vineyard) is one of the highest in the county and contributes the framework and acidity that form the backbone of the blend.