2018 Amici Hirondelle Cabernet Sauvignon Etched 3L

96+points

Jeb Dunnuck

“Flawlessly balanced”

Vineyard Notes

Hirondelle Vineyard is the first vineyard in the Amici portfolio to come from the unique Stag’s Leap District in Napa Valley. Located in the eastern portion of Napa Valley, Stag’s Leap District was the first region to be approved in the United States based on soil type. Volcanic rock and river sediments make up a staggering blend of soils that give the region its famed intensity and flavor profile often described as “an iron fist in a velvet glove.”

Winemaking Notes

Our second vintage from this beautiful Stag’s Leap District vineyard site, the 2018 Hirondelle Cabernet Sauvignon shows the region’s classic iron-rich aromas and balance on the palate. Hedonistic flavors of black cherry, bright blueberry, and dark chocolate lead into hints of bittersweet cherry and black currant. With polished tannins and hints of rosemary on the finish, the wine combines the herbal flavors of Bordeaux with California ripeness and is an incredible wine to pair with food.

Vintage
2018
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon Etched 3L
Vineyard
Hirondelle
Appellation
Stag's Leap District, Napa Valley
Blend
81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc
Alcohol
14.5%
Fermentation & Aging
100% Stainless Steel fermentation; Aged 22 months in 100% new French oak barrels

Reviews

96+points

Jeb Dunnuck

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Hirondelle Vineyard comes from the Stags Leap region of the valley and offers a more perfumed, complex style in its red and black currants, dried flowers, smoked tobacco, and lead pencil-like aromas and flavors. Hitting the palate with full-bodied richness, it’s another flawlessly balanced, seamless wine from winemaker Tony Biagi that can be enjoyed any time over the coming 20 years or more.

96points

James Suckling

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Hirondelle Vineyard is composed of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it comes barreling out of the glass with vibrant expressions of crème de cassis, blackberries and Black Forest cake with hints of of dried mint, star anise and tobacco. Medium to full-bodied, the palate offers beautiful intensity, featuring spice-laced black fruit layers and great tension, culminating in a long, savory finish.

96points

Wine Advocate

What a beautiful red to smell, offering blackcurrants, forest floor, meat, pine needles and flowers. Complex, to say the least. Full-bodied with crushed-stone and berry character. Fine, dusty tannins and a beautiful finish. Plenty of subtle character. Give it two or three years to soften, but already beautiful.

94+points

Vinous Media

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Hirondelle is a real powerhouse. Iron, smoke, game, tobacco, mocha and dried herbs infuse the 2018 with striking aromatic intensity. In this vintage, the Hirondelle has a fair amount of Cabernet Franc (19%) which comes through in the wine’s aromatic flavor profile, structural feel and red-toned fruit profile.

94points

International Wine Report

Hirondelle Vineyard is the first vineyard in the Amici portfolio to come from the Stag’s Leap District in Napa Valley. It is a wonderful showing in this vintage, offering aromas of blackberries and currents and dark cherries, dried spices, herbs, incense, and some dark floral notes rounding out the nose. On the palate this is full-bodied, concentrated and well-structured with big powdery tannins. It goes on to give way to layers of ripe fruits and exotic spices that expand beautifully through the long finish. This is a wonderful Cabernet that is already drinking excellent at this youthful age, yet should continue to evolve for many years to come.

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