The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is brilliant stuff and comes from the Klipsun Vineyard on Red Mountain. A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and 5% Syrah, aged 20 months in new oak, its deep purple color is followed by powerful notes of currants, graphite, toasted spices, and scorched earth. These give way to a full-bodied, concentrated, yet beautifully balanced Cabernet that has fine tannins, terrific purity of fruit, and a great finish. It needs 2-3 years of bottle age but is a 20+ year wine.

Refined and impressively structured, with handsome currant, black olive and stony mineral notes that build richness and polish on a lingering finish. Drink now through 2029. 500 cases made.

The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain is composed of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 4% Malbec and 8% Syrah, which immediately emanates with aromas of dark roasted espresso bean, toasted oak, dried tobacco and dusty black fruit tones of cassis, currant and blackberries covered in dark cocoa powder. Full-bodied, generous in complexity and still tight in the mouth, the wine unpacks layers of cedar and vanilla tones with dusty purple flowers and bitter dark chocolate across the mid-palate, giving way to fine-grained tannins that will loosen with time. As the wine sits on the palate, the 100% French oak regimen is on full display for all to see. The wine lingering long and continues to evolve in the mouth, ending with a drying finish that highlights the oak and terroir. It's still a baby, and I would keep it in the cellar for another few years before popping the cork-this will effortlessly coast for more than a decade. The 2017 vintage marks the second release of this wine, with 6,300 bottles produced. It comes from its namesake vineyard, first planted in 1984 on Red Mountain. I'm keeping my eye on this producer. I'm impressed, and even though the oak may be a bit much at the moment, it's still delicious.

Dark ruby-red. A wild, musky hint of reduction to the aromas of cassis, black raspberry, boysenberry and game; today the wine’s tiny Syrah component is obvious. Boasts lovely rich, deep dark berry fruit complicated by a note of cedary cigar box and complemented by sweet oak. Dense, broad and smooth in the mouth, but a surprisingly serious spine of acidity and building, dusty tannins call for some cellaring. Finishes with excellent grip and length and subtle violet lift. This topnotch Red Mountain vineyard was purchased by the Terlato family in 2016, and this impressive first release under the new owners was made by Doug Fletcher, who has nicely managed this vineyard’s normally assertive tannins. (14.5% alcohol; aged for 20 months in mostly medium-toast new French oak).December/2019

French oak aromas are out front, with notes of dark roasted coffee bean, chocolate and toffee, along with cigar box accents. On the palate, the fruit is bright and juicy, exquisitely balanced, with an interplay of chocolate and spice barrel notes. It hangs on the finish. There's a pleasing sense of texture to it all. It needs time for the oak to integrate and the tannins to unwind. Best after 2025.