Winemaker Notes
An impressive dark red ruby burgundy color, intensely aromatic with great complexity, boasting rich aromas of dark cocoa, espresso, graphite, anise, black fruits, and ripe summer berries. On the palate, it offers soft tannins, building to a densely focused, well-structured dry mid- palate, layered with flavors of creamy chocolate, ripe blackberries, blueberries, black cherry, licorice, and vanilla. The finish is lingering, fresh and luscious, while refined and elegant. This 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is exceptionally generous in its youth with 1-2 hours decanting.
Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This was tasted as a barrel sample. Deep garnet-purple, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate charges forth with bold black fruit expressions of blackberries, black currants and black plums, slowly revealing hints of dried mint, lavender, tapenade and pencil lead plus a waft of underbrush. Rich, full-bodied and concentrated with a firm line of wonderfully ripe, fine-grained tannins, it has a lovely line of freshness and a very long, very pure finish.
Barrel Sample: (94-96)+
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Jeb Dunnuck
A great wine from a more challenging vintage, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon offers terrific complexity in its chocolaty dark fruits, spice box, and cedar pencil aromatics. These give way to a medium to full-bodied, silky, beautifully balanced Cabernet that can be enjoyed any time over the coming 15+ years. Best After 2021
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.