Winery Tasting Notes: While we would have loved a bit more fruit – yields were very small – 2018 was a vintage we needed. It provided a reprieve from the variables of heat spells and drought. Steady and mild temperatures throughout the ripening period kept development even and allowed each vineyard block’s unique qualities to emerge. (These are often driven by soil differences or temperature regime changes due to elevation differences but are usually more articulated during “normal” vintages). What became quite apparent during initial fermentation was the level of tension and supple qualities 2018 brought to Cabernet Sauvignon. Fruit profiles seemed darker, even if richness – often associated with darker flavors – did not increase. We enjoyed this contrast to 2017 and extended some maceration times to accent the tension with a touch of grip by building in more tannin. However, much we loved this vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon (78%), after a year of aging the blending table revealed that Petit Verdot (9%) and Cabernet Franc (7%) brought a fulness to the mid palate that we prefer. Additionally, Malbec (6%) played a more sizable role than is typical because it had incredibly pure blue (think blueberries) fruit which we found very attractive and couldn’t deny the blend. 

94 Points - Antonio Galloni, Vinous

92 Points - Jeb Dunnuck