The Setting spotlight
2022 The Setting Cabernet, Alexander Valley
Jesse Katz's cool-climate Alexander Valley Cabernet, Jeb Dunnuck 98, a 2022 you can open at ninety dollars.
The 2022 The Setting is 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon from two cool Alexander Valley sites: blue fruit, juniper, pine, violets, and forest floor after 22 months in 85 percent new French oak, now $90.
Cool-climate Alexander Valley Cabernet from a 2025 Winemaker of the Year
Jesse Katz, Wine Enthusiast's 2025 Winemaker of the Year, built this 2022 from two elite cool-climate sites with volcanic gravel. Jeb Dunnuck 98 for blue-fruited highlights, juniper, pine, violets, forest floor, and fresh herbs. Wine Advocate 95: red and black plum, lilac, garrigue, iodine, and iron-like mineral. Twenty-two months in 85 percent new French oak. This is the bottle that argues Alexander Valley Cabernet can have Napa depth and Sonoma lift.
The house
Jesse Katz founded The Setting in 2014 with Jeff Cova and Noah McMahon after Petrus, Screaming Eagle, and Lancaster Estate. Wine Enthusiast named him 2025 Winemaker of the Year.
The wine
100% Cabernet from two cool Alexander Valley sites, including Battle Family Vineyard at the top of Chalk Hill Road. 22 months in 85% new French oak.
The scores
Jeb Dunnuck 98. Wine Advocate 95.
The drinker
Blue fruit and juniper first. Decant 45 minutes. Serve 60 to 64 F. Ribeye or a pan-seared steak.
Blue fruit, juniper, then an iron mineral line
Dunnuck found blue-fruited highlights, juniper, pine, violets, forest floor, and fresh herbs. Wine Advocate opened on red and black plum, then lilac, garrigue, iodine, and iron-like mineral tones.
An outstanding Cabernet year with ripe fruit and real structure. Cooler volcanic-gravel sites kept acidity and herbal lift inside a full Cabernet frame.
Blue fruit, red and black plum, juniper, pine, violets, forest floor, lilac, garrigue, iodine.
Polished tannin, vibrant acidity, 22 months in 85% new French oak, cool-climate Cabernet frame.
Iron mineral, herb, and dark chocolate. Decant 45 minutes. Serve 60 to 64 F.
Two cool sites, then 22 months of French oak
On The Setting notes, the 2022 is 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon from two distinctive vineyard sites with varying elevations and volcanic gravel in the cool-climate reaches of Alexander Valley. The majority of the fruit comes from Battle Family Vineyard at the top of Chalk Hill Road.
Four blocks at Battle Family each add their own personality. A second cool site supplies brightness. Twenty-two months in 85 percent new French oak delivers structure without burying the blue fruit.
Jesse Katz's brief is depth without losing freshness. Serve 60 to 64 F. Forty-five minutes of air is for juniper and violet, not a rescue.
A 2014 Sonoma house built around Jesse Katz
The Setting exists because Jesse Katz, Jeff Cova, and Noah McMahon wanted terroir-driven luxury Cabernet with a modern edge.
Jesse Katz trained at Petrus, Screaming Eagle, and Robert Foley, then became the youngest head winemaker at Lancaster Estate. He launched The Setting in 2014 with Jeff Cova and Noah McMahon.
Wine Enthusiast named him 2025 Winemaker of the Year. The wines are made at his Aperture facility, from sites chosen for cool-climate Cabernet with volcanic gravel and real acidity.
The 2022 Alexander Valley bottling is that idea in a glass: Battle Family fruit, a second cool site, 22 months in new French oak, blue fruit with a juniper bite.
Ribeye on the grill, steak in the pan
This Cabernet was made for grilled meats and bold flavors. The ironclad structure and bright cassis counter rich char and spice.
Two plates. One salt-and-pepper grilled ribeye. One classic pan-seared ribeye. Both leave room for juniper, violet, and the mineral line.
Decant 45 minutes. Serve 60 to 64 F, slightly below room temperature. Wide Bordeaux glasses.
Grilled Salt and Pepper Crusted Rib Eye
Fat, crust, and salt soften the tannin. Char pulls juniper, pine, and forest floor through the glass.
Why it works: Marbling and a hard sear make the Cabernet feel silkier and longer.
View Recipe for grilled salt and pepper crusted rib eye (opens in a new tab)
Classic Pan-Seared Ribeye Steak
A pan crust and rendered fat meet blue fruit and iron mineral without a long grill.
Why it works: Protein and browned butter cushion 85 percent new oak while acidity cuts the steak.
View Recipe for classic pan-seared ribeye steak (opens in a new tab)Put this 98-point Alexander Valley Cabernet in the cart
Jesse Katz. Jeb Dunnuck 98. Cool-climate Cabernet. Ninety dollars against a $115 typical retail.
Put six in the cart. This is The Setting bottle for a table that wants Alexander Valley Cabernet with a Winemaker of the Year on the label.
