Beautiful. Brilliant. Limitless.
2018 Cabernet Sauvignon
Average Analysis (Per 5 fl oz glass): Calories: 125; Carbohydrates: 4.1g; Fat: 0g; Protein: Less than 1g
T here is a deep dark, blood red center that fades to a ruby red outer rim and hue. The wine shows clarity and seems bright in the glass. No particles in the glass and the viscosity is high, suggesting a wine with 15% abv or more.
The aroma is driven by an immediate whiff of toasty oak, vanilla, cedar, and cinnamon. Immediately connected to this spice component are bright red fruits of cassis, stewed cherries, and currants. Secondary fruits notes of spiced plum and blackberry carry on to green tobacco leaf and a touch of earth and mushroom. The wine is youthful and fresh and shows plenty of complexity in the glass already.
The palate is dry and filled with ripe dark cherry, cassis, dark plum, and blackberry. There is an underlying tangy red fruit flavor that is super charming. It is nice to taste a Cabernet Sauvignon that showcases red fruits and not totally skewed in the black fruit direction. Dried herbs and notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and coriander marry nicely with the ripe fruit and create a nice accent to the wine. The acidity of this wine is pleasantly bright and lively and the tannin profile is structured, yet polished – ideal for both immediate enjoyment and time in cellar.
This Cabernet is a pleasant return to the California Cabs that are represented by fresh red fruit flavors, judicious use of oak, bright acidity, and a refreshing finish. This is a very approachable Cabernet Sauvignon, yet offers plenty of weight and density for those who require that power associated with the variety. This wine shows balance, purity, style, and approachability. A refreshing change and departure from many in the category.
2018 Chardonnay
Average Analysis (Per 5 fl oz glass): Calories: 119; Carbohydrates: 2.8g; Fat: 0g; Protein: Less than 1g
T he color is pale gold with platinum edges and a touch of green highlights. There is evidence of being unfiltered with a very slight cloudy appearance. The wine seems vibrant and fresh with lively intensity in the glass.
The aroma begins with spiced golden delicious apple, yellow peach, nectarine and pineapple. The tropical component sits at the back of the glass and comes through as the wine opens up. There is a touch of flint and reduction on the nose that I really like, it ties in with the mineral, fresh fruits, and the spice from the oak influence quite nicely. There is a subtle cream, vanilla, and caramel that is carefully balanced with the fruit and secondary flavors in the wine. The wine shows restraint and comes across conservatively on the nose, but there is plenty of complexity that unfolds as you swirl and ponder over it in the glass.
The wine is dry and precise on the palate with layers of golden apple, pineapple, quince, and yellow peach. The fruit is slightly dried, but shows loads of vibrancy and freshness on the palate. Oak is present with spice, vanilla, and caramel, but finds balance with the rest of the components of the wine in a very elegant and pure way. The flint and mineral of this wine along with the slightly austere nature reminds me of White Burgundy, although there is a generosity of fruit and weight on the palate that reminds the drinker of a great California Chardonnay. This is the best of both worlds – a Chardonnay with power and finesse that shows complexity of flavor yet remains light on its feet.
2018 Pinot Noir
Average Analysis (Per 5 fl oz glass): Calories: 124; Carbohydrates: 3.7g; Fat: 0g; Protein: Less than 1g
T he color is dark red in the center fading to a granite and slight pink on the outer rim. It is bright and shows no signs of sediment or particles. The wine is clear and the viscosity seems to be moderate plus – perhaps in the 14% range just on the visual.
Scents of cola, sassafras, mushroom, mineral and spice lead into the fruit flavors of dark cherry, ripe raspberry, and wild red plums. The fruit is ripe, but also slightly reserved. The fruit spice balances with the oak spice of vanilla, cinnamon, coriander and char. A slight stem or tree bark influence adds to the earth components and lingers on the finish. Hints of fresh red flowers and wet dark potting soil come through on the end of the aromatic journey.
The structure is firm and detailed with lifted acidity and structured tannin. The wine shows grip today, but this will soften with time in bottle. This Pinot Noir shows a beautiful balance of concentrated fruit, earth and spice, and overall structure. It is mouth filling and long on the finish.
This wine is vivacious today and will only get better as it spends time resting. It is a baby and perhaps a bit angry from recent bottling and transit. It should be a fantastic wine, however.