Deeply colored, the 2016 Estate Selection checks in as 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec that was brought up 26 months in 75% new French oak. Deeply colored, it has a smoking good bouquet of crème de cassis, smoke tobacco, lead pencil, camphor, and hints of chocolate. This gives way to a powerful, opulent Cabernet Sauvignon that has plenty of sweet tannins, a layered, multi-dimensional texture, no hard edges, and an awesome finish. I’d happily put this beauty in a lineup of top Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and blends.
97 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Oct 2019)
There's an impressive amount of complexity on the nose of this bottling by winemaker Adam Henkel, from crushed graphite and concentrated black strawberry to cinnamon pastry, licorice and a brush of herbs. The sip is intense, with leathery but chiseled tannins presenting flavors of charred black currant, licorice, black olive, dried flower and white pepper.
97 points, Matt Kettmann, Wine Enthusiast (Mar 2020)
The 2016 Estate Selection is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec. Medium to deep ruby, it has a nose of sage, bay leaf, cedar, mint chocolate, pencil shavings, blackberry and black cherry with nuances of leather, grilled meats and floral sparks. Medium to full-bodied, it's luscious and silky in the mouth with wonderfully ripe fruits, a framing of classy new oak and mineral nuances. It's supported by very ripe, grainy tannins—so plush—with a long, balanced finish. Pure class. It's perfectly approachable now but full of depth and potential to grow and improve if you can keep your hands off. I tasted this after about an hour's time in the decanter. About 850 cases will be released in March 2020.
95+ points, Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate (Sep 2019)
Top Quality Store
