Kathryn Kennedy Santa Cruz Cab

Kathryn Kennedy Winery Santa Cruz Mountains Small Lot Cabernet: This wine was the climax of a recent blind tasting party, helpfully designed by the friendly experts at Renegade Wines. Compared to often bombastic cabs from Napa, this wine was richly flavored with fruit and spice while remaining light on its feet with expressive minerality.

Those elements are touted by the best Santa Cruz Mountains vintners, who have been historically undervalued but seem to be enjoying a reputation boost, enhanced most recently by the second publishing of the industry-influential ‘zine Loam Baby, this time focused on Ridge, Mount Eden, and other Cruz-based creators.

See kathrynkennedywinery.com, loambaby.com, and renegadewines.com, or visit the shop at 417 Santa Barbara Street for your own bottle.