Winemaker Notes
The 2019 Relevant is an inspiring introduction to Crown Point. It aptly mirrors the attributes of the 2019 vintage - dark fruit, balanced, smooth structure, trademark Mediterranean spice - finishing with length and tension. The after palate is tremendously pleasurable, bringing notes of violets and rhubarb.
Blend: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon,10% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 5% Malbec
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2019 Relevant Cabernet Sauvignon matured for 20 months in new, once- and twice-filled French oak barrels. Deep ruby, it features pure aromas of cassis, grilled meats, warm chocolate, dried herbs, roasted peppers and hints of violet. The medium-bodied palate is powdery and fresh, striking a balance between ripe blackcurrant fruit, classy new oak spices and alluring herbal streaks. It's a balanced, drinkable style of Cabernet that's a pleasure to drink! Best after 2022.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Moving to the reds, the 2019 Relevant is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon with the balance 10% Merlot and 5% each of Petit Verdot and Malbec. A ripe, fat, opulent, pleasure-bent effort, it has full-bodied aromas and flavors, lots of dark, chocolaty fruit, good balance, and a great finish. Brought up in one-third new French oak, it’s going to shed some of its baby fat over the coming 2-3 years and drink beautifully for over a decade.
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.