2021 Highway 12 - Red Blend Sonoma County (750ml)

Highway 12 Winery takes its name from the scenic road that winds beneath the Mayacamas Mountains through Sonoma Valley, connecting the towns of Sonoma and Santa Rosa. The winery sources much of its fruit from a warm pocket of the valley floor known locally as the Banana Belt, where the region's Mediterranean climate and cooling marine air combine to ripen grapes fully while preserving balance. Winemaker Paul Giusto leans into this favorable microclimate to craft approachable, fruit-forward reds meant for easy, everyday drinking.

The 2021 Sonoma Red Blend is led by Cabernet Sauvignon, rounded out with Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, and Petite Sirah, all grown within the Highway 12 corridor. The wine spends fifteen months aging in barrel before bottling, finishing at 13.9 percent alcohol, a process designed to soften tannins and build layered complexity without overwhelming the fruit at the wine's core.

Aromas of ripe plum, black cherry, and baking spice lead into a palate of cassis and warm cedar, framed by soft, approachable tannins and balanced acidity. It's built for the grill, pairing especially well with tri-tip steak, pulled pork sandwiches, or barbecued ribs.