Established in 2014, The Setting is a collection of luxury wines created by three friends: Jeff Cova, Noah McMahon and winemaker Jesse Katz. Jesse’s experience spans 19 harvests at internationally acclaimed wineries such as Chateau Petrus, Robert Foley, and was a part of the winemaking team at Screaming Eagle. The Setting Wines is a culmination of relationships spanning decades from Napa to Sonoma County to Willamette Valley, sourcing from some of the most prestigious vineyards the regions have to offer. Recently, Jesse was named Wine Enthusiast’s Global Winemaker of the Year for 2025.
The 2021 vintage of Rockpile Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon is bold, fierce, and born to be the center of attention. Located high above the Dry Creek Valley floor and overlooking Lake Sonoma, the sweeping views and volcanic, rocky soils produce a mountain Cabernet that is intense, powerful and broody. The grape clusters are small and packed with delicious, concentrated flavors making it a perfect representation of Cabernet Sauvignon grown at extreme elevations.
It's savory and wild in character, opening with aromas of mossy bark, game meats, desert herbs, dried mushrooms, sandalwood, cigars and soy sauce, which complement a deep core of blackcurrant fruit. The full-bodied palate is powerful, with loads of gently chalky tannins and just enough fresh acidity to lift its mineral-driven fruit.
98 Owen Bargreen The 2021 ‘Rockpile Ridge’ comes from this stony site that is set on very steep hillsides. This is massively dark in the glass. Very seamless and soft on the mouth, with bright underlying acidity this is a stunning bottling that caresses the palate. Finishing very long with stony tones and rich cassis notes, enjoy this over the next twenty plus years to come. Drink 2024-2044
97 International Wine Report
96 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Rockpile Ridge was matured for 22 months in 100% new French oak. It's savory and wild in character, opening with aromas of mossy bark, game meats, desert herbs, dried mushrooms, sandalwood, cigars and soy sauce, which complement a deep core of blackcurrant fruit. The full-bodied palate is powerful, with loads of gently chalky tannins and just enough fresh acidity to lift its mineral-driven fruit. It's tightly coiled at this stage and deserves 5+ years in bottle to unfold.
96 Jeb Dunnuck Black/red-colored, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Rockpile Ridge is brooding and powerful, with inward aromas of graphite, scorched and sappy earth, dark black plum, savory richness, and toasted rosemary. Potent and intense on the palate, it reveals ripe tannins, a rich texture, and a good, long finish. It has a mountain feel with an earth-toned finish. Dense and brooding, it needs several years to show its best. Maturity: After 2027
95 James Suckling This is a very thoughtful wine that gives you some mountain fruit character with sage, pine needle and dark fruit aromas and flavors, not to mention the chewy tannins. Yet there is a softness and subtle fruitiness that gives balance and brightness to the finish. Savory at the end. Drinkable but better in two or three years.
