“Moving to the 2018, this is a vintage loved by winemaker Tony Biagi, and the wines showed beautifully across the board. Starting with the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, it could end up being one of the values of the year if it shows this well from bottle, displaying classic cassis, tobacco, and crushed rock-like minerality. With medium to full-bodied richness and depth, ripe, polished tannins, and great purity of fruit, it’s tastes like it cost three times the price.”

“Fruit for the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon comes from mountain and valley floor vineyards—Calistoga, Spring Mountain, Oak Knoll, Rutherford and St.Helena. It is a barrel sample made up of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, expected to age 18 months in 75% new French oak. Deep garnet-purple colored, it springs from the glass with vibrant red and black currants notes plus fresh blackberries, black raspberries, wild sage and cedar chest. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a taut frame of firm, grainy tannins and plenty of freshness supporting the muscular fruit, finishing with an herbal lift.”

“The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is bright, punchy and full of vintage 2018 character. Inky red and purplish berry fruit, spice and floral overtones are all beautifully delineated. Time in the glass brings out striking creaminess This is a very pretty and elegant wine, especially in its peer group.”