Winemaker Notes
The 2017 Crown Point Estate Selection is an engaging wine with notes of red fruit, strawberries, and vibrant floral tones of violets in harmony with toasted coffee notes. On the palate, the wine displays a gentle sweetness married with fine grain tannins, a velvety texture providing a long finish.
Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 10% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
There's a purity to the nose of this bottling that reveals deep, lush waves of boysenberry paste alongside a savory tone of charred beef. Polished tannins frame the sip, where ample amounts of rich black plum and blackberry are enhanced by caramel, coffee bean and mocha flavors, with acidity holding tight into the finish.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Based on 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, the 2017 Estate Selection reflects what's planted on the estate. It spends 26 months in 75% new French oak. This deep purple beauty boasts a rocking core of blueberry and cassis fruit as well notes of tobacco leaf, violets, chocolate, and spice box. Full-bodied, it offers wonderful purity of fruit, ripe tannins, and a balanced, elegant style.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Medium ruby-purple, the 2017 Estate Selection is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 10% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. It takes some time to release aromas of blackcurrants and blueberries, plus tones of iron, aniseed, mushrooms and dried roses. The medium-bodied palate is pure and spicy, with fresh lift, soft, grainy tannins and a long finish.
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James Suckling
Lots of ripe dark-fruit flavors with notes of dried herbs and cured meat. Some hazelnuts, too. Full-bodied with ripe, velvety tannins and a warming mouth-feel that comes from alcohol. Long, dry finish with a touch of crushed-stone minerality.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
On the eastern end of the Santa Ynez Valley, the rolling hills of the tiny Happy Canyon AVA produce top quality reds from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and whites from Sauvignon blanc. The region’s low-nutrient soil grows smaller vines and in turn, higher quality wine grapes.