The 2018 Merlot No. 4 is made from 100% Merlot, from the east side of St. Helena on volcanic/obsidian-rich soils. It was aged in French oak, 21% new. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it comes bounding out of the glass with lively notes of crushed black plums, juicy blueberries and fresh blackberries with suggestions of candied violets, baking spices, cardamom and fruitcake. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers soft, rounded tannins and oodles of freshness, beautifully framing the ripe, fresh black and blue fruits, finishing long and spicy. Only 49 cases were made.
JCB by Jean-Charles Boisset Reviews
The 2018 Passion is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot coming from vineyards in Oakville, St. Helena and Rutherford. Deep garnet-purple colored, it sashays out of the glass with a compelling perfume of Morello cherries, red and black currant jelly, preserved plums and rose oil, plus hints of cardamom, Chinese five spice and fragrant earth. The full-bodied palate is rich and voluptuous, framed by velvety tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with lots of layers and epic length. 296 cases were made.
The 2018 Cabernet Franc No. 17 is made from 100% Cabernet Franc, from the east side of St. Helena on volcanic/obsidian-rich soils. It was aged in French oak, 50% new. Deep garnet-purple in color, it springs from the glass with vivacious scents of Morello cherries, black raspberries and redcurrant jelly with hints of menthol, chocolate box, pencil shavings and Ceylon tea. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with crunchy red and black fruits, supported by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and oodles of freshness, finishing long with a skip in its step. 49 cases were made.
Composed of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot, the 2018 Surrealist was aged in French oak barrels, 59% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it wafts slowly, sensuously out of the glass with notes of star anise, cumin seed, clove oil and potpourri over a core of blackcurrant cordial, blueberry pie and raspberry coulis. Full-bodied, the palate is coated with decadent black and red berry preserves and loads of spicy sparks, framed by fine-grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing on a lingering mineral note. 299 cases were made.
Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon coming from the west side of St. Helena, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon No. 10 has a deep garnet-purple color and delivers a stunning nose of warm black plums, cassis and baked black cherries with hints of underbrush, black truffles and tree bark plus a waft of cinnamon stick. The full-bodied palate has a rock-solid structure of firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness supporting the densely packed black fruit and earthy flavors, finishing on a thought-provoking mineral note. 126 cases were made.
The 2018 Phi is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, coming from a single vineyard in St. Helena. It was aged in 100% new French oak barrels. Deep garnet-purple in color, it delivers powerful scents of crème de cassis, blueberry compote and Black Forest cake with suggestions of eucalyptus, mocha, licorice and tilled soil. Full-bodied, super concentrated and laden with black and blue fruit preserves flavors, it has a solid yet plush frame of exquisitely ripe tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with epically long-lasting exotic spice notes. One for the hedonists! Only 25 cases were made.
Composed of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Petite Sirah, the 2018 Knockout has a deep garnet-purple color and rolls effortlessly out of the glass with audacious scents of baked plums, crème de cassis, mulberries and dark chocolate with nuances of bouquet garni, roasted coffee beans and tobacco leaf. The concentrated palate is full-bodied and then some, jam-packed with muscular black fruit preserves flavors and supported by firm, ripe, grainy tannins with a lively backbone and a fantastic wallop of a finish that's sure to put hairs on your chest. Love it. 50 cases were made.
Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon coming from the west side of St. Helena, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon No. 1 had extended maceration of skins for 44 days and then was aged in French oak, 59% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it explodes with bombastic blackberry compote, crème de cassis and boysenberries scents, followed by suggestions of cumin seed, cardamom, rosemary roasted lamb and unsmoked cigars plus a hint of pencil lead. Full-bodied, bold and decadently rich in the mouth, it delivers impactful black fruit preserves layers and loads of savory accents, supported by firm yet plush tannins and tons of freshness, finishing on a lingering earthy note. Although it delivers a hedonic experience right now, give it a good 5 years in bottle to get the wow factor and drink it over the next 20+ years. 115 cases were made.