2019 Kautz & Kramer Cabernet Sauvignon, Block 50, Lodi, California
Tasting Notes
Bright aromas of crème Brule vanilla, followed by flavors of ripe plum, cranberry, olive tapenade, and a hint of white pepper and eucalyptus. The sweet middle palate is rich and supple. The finish is full of soft, lingering tannins.
About the Vineyard
Block 50 is in the Clements Hills sub-AVA of Lodi. This vineyard is on the east side of the Lodi AVA, which boasts older soils with volcanic sediments and clasts. Prior to being planted in vineyards, the property was used for various row crops and pastureland. The warm days and cool evenings allow for an ideal relationship for pH and acidity.
About Sustainability
John Kautz helped to create the Lodi Integrated Pest Management Program in 2003. This program focused on introducing beneficial insects throughout the vineyards, as well as analyzing the soils and water management. Today, the family practices sustainable viticulture that incorporates not only beneficial insects, but also owl and duck boxes, as well as raptor perches to help throughout the vineyards. Soil fertility programs, cover crops, and water management are vital to the maintenance and support of a healthy environment. The family has been instrumental in these programs for over 35 years.
About the Harvest
Our third vintage of this wine was hand-selected by Winemaker Steve Millier. The grapes were harvested at night, so the grapes would arrive at the winery cool to start fermentation. They were brought to the winery for a gentle crushing in small fermenters, then pressed after 10 days of primary fermentation. After, they were put into small barrels to complete malolactic fermentation.
Bright aromas of black cherries and fresh currants that are followed by flavors of vanilla bean, nutmeg, fig, and a hint of black licorice. The middle is supple and rich with a blackberry-raspberry finish that is full and lingering.
About the Vineyard
The Sheldon Ranch was purchased by the Kautz family in the 1980s. Prior to the family buying this ranch, it was well-known for growing hops. The Sheldon Ranch is in the Sloughhouse sub-AVA of Lodi. This area is slightly higher in elevation and features the Cosumnes River and Deer Creek that run through it. The soils consist of bedrock from the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The climate is warm, allowing Cabernet Franc to fully ripen. This vintage was selected from Block 72.
About Sustainability
John Kautz helped to create the Lodi Integrated Pest Management Program in 2003. This program focused on introducing beneficial insects throughout the vineyards, as well as analyzing the soils and water management. Today, the family practices sustainable viticulture that incorporates not only beneficial insects, but also owl and duck boxes, as well as raptor perches to help throughout the vineyards. Soil fertility programs, cover crops, and water management are vital to the maintenance and support of a healthy environment. The family has been instrumental in these programs for over 35 years.
About the Harvest
Hand-selected by Winemaker, Steve Millier, the grapes were harvested at night, so the grapes would arrive at the winery cool to start fermentation. They were brought to the winery for a gentle crushing in small fermenters, then pressed after 10 days of primary fermentation. After, they were put into small barrels to complete malolactic fermentation.
Specs
Blend: 100% Cabernet Franc
Oak Aging: 15 months in small French and American oak barrels
Kautz & Kramer represents a culmination of a lifetime of passion and dedication. John Kautz, the son of hardworking German immigrants, grew up on his family farm in Lodi, California. His parents moved to the U.S. in search of the “American Dream” and purchased a small parcel of land. Gail Kramer, the daughter of a lawyer and English professor, was born in California. John & Gail were married in 1958. Together, they grew their family farming operation and helped pioneer premium wine grapes in Lodi. When John Kautz and Gail Kramer became husband and wife, they danced to the classic song “Sentimental Journey.” Sentimental journey, indeed.
John’s grandparents emigrated from Germany and farmed in the Lodi area. Gail grew up in the San Francisco Bay area, the daughter of a prominent attorney who had land in Murphys. She graduated from College of the Pacific in Stockton, California, where she met John.
Over the course of their 60-year union, John and Gail have built a remarkable family and an enviable legacy of excellence. Their wine brands have wowed critics and satisfied countless consumers for close to 30 years.
The passion John and Gail have for each other, their family, and their community has been captured in every bottle of Kautz & Kramer – wines that embody the best John and Gail have to offer. Anything less, and their names wouldn’t grace the label.
Available States
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, PR
Kautz & Kramer Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
4 bottles for $59.99 $15/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $154.99 $12.92/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Totally Ordinary, Non-Spooky
Kautz & Kramer Cabernet Franc Review
Our sly foxes at Casemates slipped this one in alongside my cider and port delayed shipment orders. I won’t complain because I finally get a nice big red to feed my alcoholism…err…sample, so keep reading for the tasting notes, and I solemnly promise you that there won’t be any sudden scares that will leave you shaking in horror despite the season in which we currently find ourselves.
Looks like we have a natural, unlabeled cork in a sickly zombie-green bottle. It pours black as a cat in the glass, though I noticed that unlike a cat, it seems to possess no legs whatsoever. When I hold it up to the light, I observe a deep ruby hue, as red as the devil’s leathery hide. Just some harmless similes here, nothing to be scared of, just like there’s nothing to be scared of in everything else written in this review.
I’m not sure what it smells like. Maybe a little bit sweet? Oh, I know: kind of like a raspberry ganache in a candy from one of those higher-end boxed chocolate sets. Nothing sweet about the actual taste, though; there’s an instant sour note when it hits your tongue. Definitely very dry, and very high tannins. Now that the listing has been put up and I see the residual sugar stats, it makes sense. This wine will make you pucker almost as much as being chased around a lakeside campground by a masked, machete-wielding psycho, which is something you don’t need to worry about because you’re only reading a wine review, and hypothetical scenarios like that aren’t real and can’t hurt you.
I think this is actually my first time drinking this varietal (outside of maybe a tasting somewhere many years ago), and this definitely seems like a “stronger” wine than average. It also feels like it has some pepper notes, and there’s a lingering residual burn after a gulp, though I’m not sure it’s entirely an alcohol burn, especially since I wasn’t getting any alcohol fumes on the nose. I mean there is some, but it’s fairly moderate. It also leaves a somewhat bitter aftertaste on the back of your tongue, if you’re into that. A very savory wine I would say, unlike the unsavory jump scare that I would put at the end of this review if I were some kind of bandwagoner trying to cash in on the upcoming holiday, but since I’m not, this isn’t something you have to concern yourself with at all.
I can attest that this pairs really well with a hard, fatty cheese, which thankfully I had this time around (an old slice of Comté). It mellows out the experience and makes the wine feel a bit more woodsy/grassy, but not earthy. If I absolutely had to pick an analogue, I’d say it kind of reminds me of Amarone (maybe without the prevalent cranberry note). It won’t leave a sour taste in your mouth, unlike a completely unnecessary thematic fright inserted into a serious product review just to be edgy on the internet.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. It’s probably one of the best samples I’ve received so far. Maybe even the best. It definitely has a more refined countenance, and my initial guess was that it would be at least around $20 per bottle, so at the Casemates price it definitely feels like a steal. So yeah, that’s about it. I do wholly recommend this one if you’re looking for a true dry red that’s in the middle ground between “fruity” and “tobacco and leather bomb.” I’m not one of those “five stars every time” reviewers who recommend anything they get for free, and have admitted in prior reviews when something wasn’t my cup of wine. But I did genuinely enjoy this one. And as promised, absolutely nothing scary happened over the course of this review, so you can’t call me a liar.
In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I made a meme to express my emotions:
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Kautz & Kramer Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc - $25 = 13.88%
Once again, I was surprised with an email stating “wine is coming your way!” and even more surprised it DIDN’T come from Alice. But it’s just as nice coming from Terry. Thanks, as always for keeping me in mind for a lab rat.
Reds are my go-to and Cabs are specifically, so I was pleased to see the Kautz & Kramer Cabernet on my doorstep. The (synthetic) cork popped fairly easily, and we were off to the races…
SO HERE’S THE THING
Maybe it’s because I generally enjoy cabs. Or maybe this is a really expensive, high-quality bottle of wine. Perhaps it’s because I paired it with buffalo wings and everything is better with buffalo wings. But maybe, just maybe, it’s because I haven’t had a drop of wine since May.
THIS SHIT IS DELICIOUS
A little more back story – I had a blood test early May timeframe and I came back above normal for cholesterol and blood sugar. Because I’m generally healthy and intend to live forever, I took it upon myself to quit all sugars, carbs, and fried foods from my diet. Full stop. I’m basically a grilled chicken and/or salad guy now. As a bonus byproduct, I lost 14 pounds in that time and literally have not been this lean since high school. Serious DILF energy over here.
Anyway, you can understand when I say this was almost a new experience, and one I thoroughly enjoyed. Even upon first open, there was very little acidity and it drank smooth with a slight alcohol aftertaste. It is fruity, earthy, and everything I like in a wine. The second glass, after some breathing time, really evened out. Its taste is pretty complex, but comes together really well… it would pair great with a smash burger or a porterhouse. It’s versatile and just approachable and very tasty.
I’m enjoying day two as I write this. It tastes even lighter than before and I’m content just to have it with some protein chips that I reluctantly switched to and now enjoy as alternative to potato chips.
Can’t say enough good here. It gives expensive vibes. If I had to guess… $30 a bottle. Let’s see what casemates can do to get everyone to enjoy this wine. Thanks all! Cheers!
@ACraigL Yeah, who is Terry? Who is Matt? Where is Alice @WCCWineGirl? A well-deserved promotion, I hope!
I got a Lab Rat email yesterday (from Matt, signed by Terry) and the bottle today. Teaser: new vintage of a wine that’s been offered here before. Stay tuned next week.
Wine Enthusiast was enthusiastic about the Cab Franc in a not so old note…
93 points. This wine is concentrated, with aromas of Black currant compote, Blackberry pie, graham cracker crust, spiced vanilla and clove on the nose. The flavors on the palate are Black cherry cream, Black plums, cardamom, lime vanilla crème, morphing into dried sage, earth and a long, supple, finish. Pair with Beef Brisket — Tonya Pitts 9/1/24…
…however WE also tasted the CF in '21, appears so anyway:
87 points. This hearty, full-bodied wine has an herbal, meaty edge as it wraps black-plum and tomato flavors in a smooth texture. — Jim Gordon 10/1/21
Decanter, World Wine Awards, the CF:
86 points. Aromas of pipe tobacco, roasted nuts and dried red fruits. Creamy texture, juicy and rich. 1/23
The Cabernet Sauvignon by The International Wine & Spirit Competition Ltd, London:
86 points. Bronze medal. Rich aromas of cola, vanilla, and clove lead to a full-bodied palate of plummy fruit.
The CS, from a Canadian wine club (a stretch right?) Opimian Society Wine Club De Vin:
The Block 50 Cabernet Sauvignon is full-bodied, with a fleshy, broad structure tapering to firm tannins. An array of smoky, savoury and sun-baked fruity aromas leap from the glass. These same flavours are repeated on the palate. Finishes dry. Decant and serve with hearty dishes. 2024-2032–JB
Note a dab of R/S in both
A little blurb on the owners, who founded and own Ironstone here
2019 Kautz & Kramer Cabernet Sauvignon, Block 50, Lodi, California
Tasting Notes
About the Vineyard
About Sustainability
About the Harvest
Specs
2019 Kautz & Kramer Cabernet Franc, Sheldon Ranch Block 72, Lodi, California
Tasting Notes
About the Vineyard
About Sustainability
About the Harvest
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$384.00/Case for 6x 2023 2019 Kautz & Kramer Cabernet Sauvignon, Block 50, Lodi, California + 6x 2019 Kautz & Kramer Cabernet Franc, Sheldon Ranch Block 72, Lodi, California at Kautz & Kramer
About The Winery
Available States
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, PR
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Nov 17 - Tuesday, Nov 18
Kautz & Kramer Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
4 bottles for $59.99 $15/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $154.99 $12.92/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2019 Kautz & Kramer Cabernet Sauvignon
2019 Kautz & Kramer Cabernet Franc
Totally Ordinary, Non-Spooky
Kautz & Kramer Cabernet Franc Review
Our sly foxes at Casemates slipped this one in alongside my cider and port delayed shipment orders. I won’t complain because I finally get a nice big red to feed my alcoholism…err…sample, so keep reading for the tasting notes, and I solemnly promise you that there won’t be any sudden scares that will leave you shaking in horror despite the season in which we currently find ourselves.
Looks like we have a natural, unlabeled cork in a sickly zombie-green bottle. It pours black as a cat in the glass, though I noticed that unlike a cat, it seems to possess no legs whatsoever. When I hold it up to the light, I observe a deep ruby hue, as red as the devil’s leathery hide. Just some harmless similes here, nothing to be scared of, just like there’s nothing to be scared of in everything else written in this review.
I’m not sure what it smells like. Maybe a little bit sweet? Oh, I know: kind of like a raspberry ganache in a candy from one of those higher-end boxed chocolate sets. Nothing sweet about the actual taste, though; there’s an instant sour note when it hits your tongue. Definitely very dry, and very high tannins. Now that the listing has been put up and I see the residual sugar stats, it makes sense. This wine will make you pucker almost as much as being chased around a lakeside campground by a masked, machete-wielding psycho, which is something you don’t need to worry about because you’re only reading a wine review, and hypothetical scenarios like that aren’t real and can’t hurt you.
I think this is actually my first time drinking this varietal (outside of maybe a tasting somewhere many years ago), and this definitely seems like a “stronger” wine than average. It also feels like it has some pepper notes, and there’s a lingering residual burn after a gulp, though I’m not sure it’s entirely an alcohol burn, especially since I wasn’t getting any alcohol fumes on the nose. I mean there is some, but it’s fairly moderate. It also leaves a somewhat bitter aftertaste on the back of your tongue, if you’re into that. A very savory wine I would say, unlike the unsavory jump scare that I would put at the end of this review if I were some kind of bandwagoner trying to cash in on the upcoming holiday, but since I’m not, this isn’t something you have to concern yourself with at all.
I can attest that this pairs really well with a hard, fatty cheese, which thankfully I had this time around (an old slice of Comté). It mellows out the experience and makes the wine feel a bit more woodsy/grassy, but not earthy. If I absolutely had to pick an analogue, I’d say it kind of reminds me of Amarone (maybe without the prevalent cranberry note). It won’t leave a sour taste in your mouth, unlike a completely unnecessary thematic fright inserted into a serious product review just to be edgy on the internet.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. It’s probably one of the best samples I’ve received so far. Maybe even the best. It definitely has a more refined countenance, and my initial guess was that it would be at least around $20 per bottle, so at the Casemates price it definitely feels like a steal. So yeah, that’s about it. I do wholly recommend this one if you’re looking for a true dry red that’s in the middle ground between “fruity” and “tobacco and leather bomb.” I’m not one of those “five stars every time” reviewers who recommend anything they get for free, and have admitted in prior reviews when something wasn’t my cup of wine. But I did genuinely enjoy this one. And as promised, absolutely nothing scary happened over the course of this review, so you can’t call me a liar.
In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I made a meme to express my emotions:
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Kautz & Kramer Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc - $25 = 13.88%
Once again, I was surprised with an email stating “wine is coming your way!” and even more surprised it DIDN’T come from Alice. But it’s just as nice coming from Terry. Thanks, as always for keeping me in mind for a lab rat.
Reds are my go-to and Cabs are specifically, so I was pleased to see the Kautz & Kramer Cabernet on my doorstep. The (synthetic) cork popped fairly easily, and we were off to the races…
SO HERE’S THE THING
Maybe it’s because I generally enjoy cabs. Or maybe this is a really expensive, high-quality bottle of wine. Perhaps it’s because I paired it with buffalo wings and everything is better with buffalo wings. But maybe, just maybe, it’s because I haven’t had a drop of wine since May.
THIS SHIT IS DELICIOUS
A little more back story – I had a blood test early May timeframe and I came back above normal for cholesterol and blood sugar. Because I’m generally healthy and intend to live forever, I took it upon myself to quit all sugars, carbs, and fried foods from my diet. Full stop. I’m basically a grilled chicken and/or salad guy now. As a bonus byproduct, I lost 14 pounds in that time and literally have not been this lean since high school. Serious DILF energy over here.
Anyway, you can understand when I say this was almost a new experience, and one I thoroughly enjoyed. Even upon first open, there was very little acidity and it drank smooth with a slight alcohol aftertaste. It is fruity, earthy, and everything I like in a wine. The second glass, after some breathing time, really evened out. Its taste is pretty complex, but comes together really well… it would pair great with a smash burger or a porterhouse. It’s versatile and just approachable and very tasty.
I’m enjoying day two as I write this. It tastes even lighter than before and I’m content just to have it with some protein chips that I reluctantly switched to and now enjoy as alternative to potato chips.
Can’t say enough good here. It gives expensive vibes. If I had to guess… $30 a bottle. Let’s see what casemates can do to get everyone to enjoy this wine. Thanks all! Cheers!
@ACraigL Yeah, who is Terry? Who is Matt? Where is Alice @WCCWineGirl? A well-deserved promotion, I hope!
I got a Lab Rat email yesterday (from Matt, signed by Terry) and the bottle today. Teaser: new vintage of a wine that’s been offered here before. Stay tuned next week.
Wine Enthusiast was enthusiastic about the Cab Franc in a not so old note…
93 points. This wine is concentrated, with aromas of Black currant compote, Blackberry pie, graham cracker crust, spiced vanilla and clove on the nose. The flavors on the palate are Black cherry cream, Black plums, cardamom, lime vanilla crème, morphing into dried sage, earth and a long, supple, finish. Pair with Beef Brisket — Tonya Pitts 9/1/24…
…however WE also tasted the CF in '21, appears so anyway:
87 points. This hearty, full-bodied wine has an herbal, meaty edge as it wraps black-plum and tomato flavors in a smooth texture. — Jim Gordon 10/1/21
Decanter, World Wine Awards, the CF:
86 points. Aromas of pipe tobacco, roasted nuts and dried red fruits. Creamy texture, juicy and rich. 1/23
The Cabernet Sauvignon by The International Wine & Spirit Competition Ltd, London:
86 points. Bronze medal. Rich aromas of cola, vanilla, and clove lead to a full-bodied palate of plummy fruit.
The CS, from a Canadian wine club (a stretch right?) Opimian Society Wine Club De Vin:
The Block 50 Cabernet Sauvignon is full-bodied, with a fleshy, broad structure tapering to firm tannins. An array of smoky, savoury and sun-baked fruity aromas leap from the glass. These same flavours are repeated on the palate. Finishes dry. Decant and serve with hearty dishes. 2024-2032–JB
Note a dab of R/S in both
A little blurb on the owners, who founded and own Ironstone here
fwiw
