Winemaker Notes
Intense aromas of chocolate, black cherry, and raspberry intermingle with savory notes of sage and thyme. The tannins are lithe, intertwining with flavors of black cherry, coffee grounds, and crushed rocks. The 2018 Estate Selection has a perfect balance of fresh acidity followed by bright fruit and minerality that extend the finish, foreshadowing significant aging potential.
Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, 10% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2018 Estate Selection checks in as 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, 10% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot, and it's another seamless, full-bodied beauty from this estate. Lots of pure crème de cassis, ripe black cherries, spring flowers, graphite, and toasted spices define the bouquet, and it's a more plush, opulent sexy wine compared to the more structured Cabernet Sauvignon. This fleshy, deep, seamless, thrilling Cabernet blend should be snatched up by readers. It will compete with some of the top Cabernet Sauvignons out there.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 Estate Selection is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, 10% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, bottled after two years in barrel. Deep ruby-purple, it offers noticeable freshness and perfume, with pure aromas of cassis, tar and violets accented with tones of blood orange, mushroom powder, iron and game meats. The palate is silky and alluring with precise, iron- and violet-laced fruits and a very long, floral finish.
Rating:96+ -
Wine Enthusiast
Dark and delicious aromas of black cherry and cassis are lifted by star anise and purple flowers on the cohesive nose of this bottling. There is plenty of that black cherry fruit on the palate as well, but it's presented in an elegantly restrained way, with rose petals, cocoa dust and crème brûlée flavors all arising by the long finish.
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James Suckling
Ripe cassis and mirabelles, as well as notes of sweet vanilla and eucalyptus. Full body, polished yet chewy tannins and bright acidity. Juicy with a chocolatey mouth-feel.
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.