Winemaker Notes
#42 Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Cellar Selections of 2019
True Cabernet Sauvignon character stands out, opening in an aromatic riot of blackberry jam, a touch of herb, spice, and coffee. The wine is full-bodied, expanding mid-palate with a dense core of black fruit, black cherries, and cacao beans; the finish lingers with a perfume of dried raspberries and rose water. The distinctive tannic structure of mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot hints at the aging potential of this wine.
95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
A deep, dark color and generous black-fruit aromas lead to wellextracted flavors of blackberry, blueberry and black currant on the palate, while a thick blanket of finegrained tannins wraps it all in. It is huge in structure but matched by luxurious, layered fruit and spice flavors. Best 2023–2033.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: Red Hills, one of the newest AVAs—okay, fairly new, its effective date was September 10, 2004—has been coming to the fore of late with some excellent wines. The 2016 Obsidian Estate Cabernet Sauvignon speaks well of this wine growing region. TASTING NOTES: This is a smooth and satisfying Cabernet. Its bright red fruit, smoke, and oak aromas and flavors should make a nice pairing with grilled meats. (Tasted: May 1, 2018, San Francisco, CA)
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate opens with aromas of pencil shavings, cigar wrappers, cedar and dried herbs with a core of black cherries and black currants plus touches of bitter chocolate, mint, dried earth and an undercurrent of spices. The palate is full-bodied, firm and gently chewy with just enough freshness on the finish. 21,100 cases produced.
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.
Located within the greater Clear Lake appellation, the Red Hills AVA is perhaps the hottest spot right now in Lake County for new Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards. Recognizing the potential of its volcanic and obsidian heavy soils, many respected growers are flocking to the area. Andy Beckstoffer, a leader in escalating the quality and recognition of Napa Valley, has already invested heavily in the area.