Broc "Le Clairet" Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

There's no better wine that encompasses the idea of 'new wave' California quite like Broc's 'Clairet' Cabernet. It's inspired by the idea that Bordeaux used to be a light, clear wine —  from 'clair,' the French for 'light'. It's a far cry from the gobs of fruit good Cabernet Sauvignon was measured by in the past. However, it's not a thin, acrid wine or anything. It's medium-bodied, bright and brambly, with tart cherry, juicy blueberry, stewed tomato, sage, and a snappy crunch. It's an energetic, lip-smackingly delicious wine that is just as good with pizza and stir-fried veggies as it is with burgers or richer poultry dishes. The wine is kept lighter by picking the grapes earlier, but also because they made a rosé from the same grapes that is added into the red, so it's 90% red and 10% rosé.

Chris Brockway, originally from Omaha, learned winemaking at UC Davis and Cal State Fresno, where he learned how to add all the things to wine that he insists on not adding to his own wines at Broc Cellars in Berkeley. He sources organic grapes from around California. The 'Clairet' comes from the organically-farmed Wirth Ranch in Solano County. [Jonathan Kemp, December 2021]