Winemaker Notes
Dark red with a hue of purple. Intense and complex bouquet of red, black and blue berries intermixed with notes of blueberries, minerals (graphite, wet river rocks) licorice, fresh blond tobacco and a hint of lavender. Full bodied, the palate is reminiscent of the nose, with a richly tannic yet round frame and a great intensity. The hillside tannins and the classical aromatic complexity create a harmonious ensemble, leading to a very long and elegant finish.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Mon Chevalier, which includes no Merlot (it’s 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Malbec and Petit Verdot) is a black fruited, powerful 2015 that just fills the mouth with fruit. Blueberries, plums, violets, chocolate, and savory herb notes all emerge from this full-bodied, big, meaty, licorice-laced effort that, like all of Luc’s wines, stays balanced, graceful and pure.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller proportions of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Mon Chevalier has a very deep garnet-purple color and vibrant nose of red currant, red plums and lavender with fresh black berries and black cherries, plus wafts of dried herbs and fragrant earth. Medium to full-bodied, the palate reveals the full spectrum of Cabernet flavors, with lovely fine-grained tannins and great freshness providing a firm frame for the tightly wound flavors, finishing long and earthy/minerally. Just gorgeous.
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Wine Spectator
Lush and warm in feel, with plum and blackberry puree flavors wrapped in cocoa, smoldering tobacco and loam notes. The fleshy finish lets the cocoa edge take the lead. Hefty, but shows a seductive edge.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
A small and picturesque valley separating Napa Valley on its south border and Alexander Valley to its north, Knights Valley excels in similar varieties as the two aforementioned appellations, namely red Bordeaux varieties and blends, as well as Sauvignon blanc. Originally established by Beringer Vineyards, today several outstanding producers claim acreage here. The circadian cooling effects of the nearby Pacific Ocean create a nighttime respite for vineyards during the hot growing season.