Cole Ranch AVA / California / Cabernet Sauvignon, (60%) Merlot, (35%) Cabernet Franc (5%)
There’s a reason Cole Ranch is whispered about in California wine circles—it’s the smallest AVA in the country, and the fruit that comes out of its high-elevation, cool-climate slopes is downright electric. Rootdown takes that pedigree and spins it into something both playful and profound with their “Dynamite” Claret, a nod to the old-school Bordeaux blends that once defined the word.
This is not your grandfather’s Claret, though. It’s lifted and aromatic—think red currant, wild herbs, graphite—wrapped around a supple core of cherry and plum. The tannins are present but polished, more like the firm handshake of a seasoned guide than a gatekeeper blocking your way. And the finish? Long, savory, and just a touch mineral, reminding you this is serious terroir bottled with a wink.
Perfect with anything from grilled lamb to a simple roast chicken, but also charming enough to sip on its own while you’re deciding what’s for dinner.
In short: a wine that bridges old-world sensibility and California verve, equally at home on a Tuesday night table as it is on your “let’s open something cool” list.
Cole Ranch AVA / California / Cabernet Sauvignon, (60%) Merlot, (35%) Cabernet Franc (5%)
There’s a reason Cole Ranch is whispered about in California wine circles—it’s the smallest AVA in the country, and the fruit that comes out of its high-elevation, cool-climate slopes is downright electric. Rootdown takes that pedigree and spins it into something both playful and profound with their “Dynamite” Claret, a nod to the old-school Bordeaux blends that once defined the word.
This is not your grandfather’s Claret, though. It’s lifted and aromatic—think red currant, wild herbs, graphite—wrapped around a supple core of cherry and plum. The tannins are present but polished, more like the firm handshake of a seasoned guide than a gatekeeper blocking your way. And the finish? Long, savory, and just a touch mineral, reminding you this is serious terroir bottled with a wink.
Perfect with anything from grilled lamb to a simple roast chicken, but also charming enough to sip on its own while you’re deciding what’s for dinner.
In short: a wine that bridges old-world sensibility and California verve, equally at home on a Tuesday night table as it is on your “let’s open something cool” list.
