Carte Blanche Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
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Jeb
Dunnuck -
James
Suckling -
Robert
Parker
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
A different beast, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) is more backward and reticent, and while it needs 4-5 years of bottle age, is packed with potential. Both black and blue fruits, earth, tobacco, and freshly crushed rock notes all flow to a full-bodied 2016 that has plenty of fine tannins, remarkable purity of fruit, and beautiful intensity and length. Do your best to give this some bottle age, and you’ll be rewarded with a phenomenal Napa Valley Cabernet that will keep for 2-3 decades.
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James Suckling
This is really structured with a compressed and exciting palate of intense fruit and compact tannins. Full-bodied yet reserved and holding back. Fantastic length. Give this three to four years of bottle age. Wait until 2022.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
One-hundred percent Cabernet Sauvignon aged 22 months in 100% French oak, the very deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon gives quite a meaty nose of chargrilled meats, charcuterie and beef drippings over a core of cassis, preserved plums and black cherries plus touches of cedar, unsmoked cigars and underbrush. Full, rich and seductive in the mouth, it has a soft, super ripe and finely grained texture with layer upon layer of black fruits, finishing long with a spicy kick. Rating: 95+
Other Vintages
2015-
Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker
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Wine
Spectator
The core of the Carte Blanche wine producing philosophy is to respect the terroir in each wine, thus accepting the responsibility to honor what the earth has given us. In early 2014, Carte Blanche continued its commitment to that mantra in welcoming Helen Keplinger as the new winemaker. With each vintage, Carte Blanche is celebrated —the freedom to create wines from singular or multiple vineyards, varietals or appellations. They constantly strive to extract the best out of nature and science. Their art and creative freedom allows them to work with an open canvas and develop exceptional wines that enhance our celebration of life.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
Home to some of the most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon in America, Napa Valley’s Oakville district stretches across the center of Napa's valley floor and foothills between the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains. This AVA is home to the legendary To Kalon Vineyard and Martha's Vineyard, as well as many powerhouse wineries including Screaming Eagle, Silver Oak, Robert Mondavi, Opus One, Far Niente and Groth.
The climate is generally warm and agreeable, resulting in year after year of favorable vintages. Summer days see a gentle tug of war between warmer inland air and the cool air coming in from the San Pablo Bay, creating an ideal environment to grow red varieties. Oakville's diverse soils, namely ancient sea bedrock, clay and gravel, are well-drained, and perfect for high-caliber viticulture.
Cabernet here is often bottled varietally but is also popular in Bordeaux Blends. Oakville wines are known for their silky, sensual textures, structured tannins, dark and brooding fruit and lovely aromatics. These age-worthy and prestigious wines are favored by collectors throughout the world.