Winemaker Notes
This wine boasts aromas of black cherry, blueberry compote and black plum with prominent secondary hints of cocoa nibs, baking spice and fresh eucalyptus. The palate showcases a beautiful balance between perfectly ripe red and black fruit and savory, complex layers of dark chocolate, roasted coffee and brown sugar. An incredibly enjoyable wine with rounded structure and firm tannins.
Blend: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Malbec, 3% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Aromas of blackberries, blueberries and dark chocolate follow through to a full body, firm and silky tannins and a flavorful finish. Shows drive and focus at the finish. Drink or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot and 3% Merlot. It has a very deep garnet-purple color and struts a flamboyant nose of crushed red and black cherries, blueberries and cassis with hints of roses, dusty soil, baking spices and tobacco. Medium to full-bodied, it coats the mouth with vibrant black fruit, framed by ripe, grainy tannins and finishing long and expressive.
One of the most prestigious wines of the world capable of great power and grace, Napa Valley Cabernet is a leading force in the world of fine, famous, collectible red wine. Today the Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon are so intrinsically linked that it is difficult to discuss one without the other. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that this marriage came to light; sudden international recognition rained upon Napa with the victory of the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1976 Judgement of Paris.
Cabernet Sauvignon undoubtedly dominates Napa Valley today, covering half of the land under vine, commanding the highest prices per ton and earning the most critical acclaim. Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure, acidity, capacity to thrive in multiple environs and ability to express nuances of vintage make it perfect for Napa Valley where incredible soil and geographical diversity are found and the climate is perfect for grape growing. Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that express specific characteristics based on situation, slope and soil—as a perfect example, Rutherford’s famous dust or Stags Leap District's tart cherry flavors.