Winemaker Notes
The backbone of these aromatics are what people come to appreciate about Star Lane Cabernet Sauvignon: dark fruits with layers of fresh herbs like sage, anise, and floral notes. However 2015 leans a bit sweeter than recent vintages with ripe red fruits and cassis pushing forward. Perhaps an impact of more new oak, perhaps the vintage. Either way, very pleasant. The texture enters somewhat broad and fruit forward suggesting elegance over power. Yet as the middle appears it shows a lovely if serious weightiness that feeds a tense finish. The tannin used to frame the length, a product - no doubt - of extended maceration, are apparent but not obtuse and suggest good aging to come.
Blend: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petite Verdot, 6% Merlot, 3% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A 10-year rerelease with energy, ripe dark-berry fruit and a savory core. Black licorice and bouillon ride along melted tannins that still provide enough structure for a bit of further evolution. Still, there is no need to wait, as the cigar humidor, incense, cassis and dried violets finish long.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Based on 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot, 3% Malbec, and 2% Cabernet Franc, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Star Lane Vineyard was all destemmed and aged 22 months in about 35% new French oak. Deep plum-hued, it shows just a kiss of evolution on the nose, with ripe currants, smoky tobacco, truffle, and crushed stone, as well as nicely integrated background oak. Rich, medium to full-bodied, and concentrated, it brings remarkable depth, has ripe tannins, plenty of mid-palate depth, and outstanding length. It has a powerful, Saint-Émilion-like character and is still youthful
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Wine Enthusiast
Very rich and deep blackberry aromas meet with smoke and crushed herbs on the nose of this still very young wine. The palate is balanced in structure, showing flavors of pepper, dried herb, elderberry and dust. Drink 2020–2030.
Cellar Selection
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.
On the eastern end of the Santa Ynez Valley, the rolling hills of the tiny Happy Canyon AVA produce top quality reds from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and whites from Sauvignon blanc. The region’s low-nutrient soil grows smaller vines and in turn, higher quality wine grapes.