A rich red, this is structured and firm in the middle, then it loosens up to a touch of sweetness in the end. There's interesting detail in the tannins, yielding the scent of tobacco and the feel of crushed stone. The flavors are smoky with oak, broad and juicy, built for eggplant roasted with ground lamb.
Reviews
Soft hints of cinnamon and clove waft upwards out of the bouquet, before a wave of warm red fruit and vanilla form around age-worthy, rounded tannins. Nicely structured and drinkable now, it should take on additional complexity and nuance through 2020. — V.B.
This hedonistically powerful mix of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot traffics in blackberry and black cherry jam over a layer of soft tannins. Coffee, toffee and subtle Asian and cinnamon spice keep the proceedings lively, for this is a seriously ripe and playful wine. Cellar through 2020. — V.B.
Yeasty, like baked bread, this thick, leathery and peppery wine is surrounded by a wealth of burly tannins. The oak well integrated, it will nonetheless benefit from further aging to coax more of its dark raspberry and blackberry fruit. Cellar through 2020. — V.B.
Cellar Selection
From the cooler reaches of the Napa Valley, this Coombsville wine is herbal and leathery, with a taste of bittersweet chocolate at its core. Integrated oak plays a background role behind baked plum and intense, ripe fruit, finishing in tobacco. — V.B.
A stylish offering, sleek and elegant, with tiers of spicy dark berry, currant, chocolate brownie, cedar and graphite, it gains richness and dimension before firming nicely on the finish, where the tannins take hold and turn chalky. –JL
A gutsy, rustic style, with raw, chewy tannins and a strong wood presence giving this the initial impression of an overly tannic effort. With time, however, the ripeness of the fruit and tannins should make this quite pleasing. –JL
A plush and generous red, exhibiting a supple mix of red and dark fruit, licorice and spice, with toasty oak nuances and fine-grained tannins. This is most impressive on the finish, where the pure juiciness of the fruit persists. –JL