Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Family Estate Reserve has lots to love. Deep black fruits, chocolate, tobacco, and lead pencil shaving-like notes all emerge from the glass, and it's full-bodied, has a plush, seamless textured, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It's an undeniable success to enjoy over the coming 10-15 years.
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James Suckling
Aromas of ripe blackberries and blueberries, as well as cedary and spicy oak influence with forest wood, too. The palate has a super rich and succulent feel with bright, round, blackberry and red-plum flavors on offer and fleshy, juicy and easygoing, smooth tannin resolve. Drink or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Family Estate Reserve is blended of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec. Deep purple black colored, it delivers notions of espresso, baked cherries and blackberry preserves over a core of warm cassis and plum pudding plus a waft of Chinese five spice. Full-bodied, the palate had a firm, chewy texture and just enough freshness supporting the muscular fruit, finishing on a fruitcake note.
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.