Grounded Wine Co. Steady State Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
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Broodingly deep ruby in color, 2016 Steady State shows fragrant notes of cassis buds, ripe red and black cherries, as well as warm, complex aromas of blackberry brambles, wild rosemary, and lavender. Intense and focused on the palate, the tannins are well-proportioned, lending elegance and charm throughout the long, aromatic finish. While drinkable upon release, this wine has the balance and structure to drink nicely for 8 to 10 years.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This impressive red overdelivers on its price point, combining the main variety with Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Merlot, aging the whole in French oak for 18 months (40% of it new). Truffled earth, compost, bark and gunpowder give it a savory edge that leads to a juicy, balanced midpalate of black fruit, cocoa powder and dust.
Editor's Choice
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James Suckling
Attractive, vanilla-dusted violet aromas with blackcurrants and purple cherries. The palate delivers a very succulent array of fresh ripe berries and plums in a fleshy, approachable style. Drink or hold.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2016 Grounded Wine Co. Steady State Cabernet Sauvignon shows up with power and finesse that stays long through the wine's finish. TASTING NOTES: This wine shows attractive aromas and flavors of black fruit, licorice, and oak. Pair it with a seared ribeye. (Tasted: September 20, 2020, San Francisco, CA)
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Jeb Dunnuck
The inky colored 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Steady State is a ripe, sexy effort that has plenty of black and blue fruits, damp earth, and iron characteristics in its full-bodied, plump, and layered style. It's one big mouthful of fruit and should keep for 10-15 years.
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Wine Spectator
Quite rich, with crushed plum, blackberry paste and fig reduction notes cruising through slowly, coated with ganache accents and backed by warm licorice and roasted apple wood elements on the finish. Shows more heft than drive, but this will have fans for the showy fruit.
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Named a “rising star” by Food & Wine, and a Forbes’ ‘30 Under 30’ to watch, Napa native Josh Phelps has winemaking in his blood. Josh built up an immense knowledge of the wine business through harvest work and crafting wines alongside his father—former Dominus Estate and Caymus winemaker Chris Phelps. It was Josh’s own desire to create a grassroots, all-American label that reflected his experience growing up among California vines that led to the creation of Grounded Wine Co. With Grounded, Phelps maintains a focus on what’s important in winemaking—showcasing wines crafted from premium grapes farmed by trusted, sustainable vineyards in California and Washington. Grounded showcases Phelps’ expression of what it means to be a winemaker in the modern world.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.