Wine is an artistic expression as personal and universal as photography. So it only makes sense that Andy and Jesse Katz would finally find a way to work together to produce some of the most stunning wines from California. Andy Katz made his name as one of the greatest photographers of his generation, and his work graces coffee-table books, galleries, and album covers around the globe. Andy's son, Jesse Katz, in a remarkably short period of time, has made himself into one of the most respected wine professionals in California. He was the first winemaker ever to be included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, a Wine Enthusiast 40 Under 40 Tastemaker, and had been named a Wine Spectator “Rising Star.” This father-son duo has the wine world clamoring to get a taste of their cool-climate Bordalais style wines. Get ready to hear the name, Jesse Katz, for years to come.

Jesse’s mission for Aperture is to find the top cool-climate spots around California for his beloved Bordeaux varieties to thrive in. Eighteen harvests learning from the best producers in the world—Petrus, Screaming Eagle, Viña Cobos, Bodega Noemia, and more—have led to this moment at Aperture, where his wines have generated buzz and critical acclaim in equal measure. Jesse has earned it all: A lifetime of preparation has led to this moment.

All the fruit at Aperature is hand-harvested and brought into the winery within hours of being picked. Everything is methodically and obsessively sorted. A cold soak of 4-7 days with minimal air incorporation starts the extraction process and then cool fermentation with native yeast carries out the remaining. Air and temperature are controlled throughout the 14-28 day fermentation and extended maceration is determined lot by lot. Jesse walks a fine line of full extraction but still maintains an elegant and silky texture. Wines go through malolactic fermentation in barrel and are aged (sur-lees) for 18 months. Bottled unfined, unfiltered, and un-acidified. Focusing first on the Cabernet fruit from four mineral-rich, volcanic soil sites nestled on cooler hillside slopes in the Alexander Valley, this vintage’s blend is uniquely crafted with delicate inclusions of Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot.

Aging: 18 Months in 45% New French Oak  

Tasting notes: 40% Malbec, 34% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. For this vintage, we crafted a distinct Bordeaux blend, composed dominantly of malbec and merlot and delicately balanced by smaller inclusion of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. The ripe fruit characters are structured by seamless tannins, showcasing an elegant density to the blend. The 2019s are expressive in their youth and are drinking beautifully with a decant now, and will only continue to reward with cellaring.