2018 vintage notes
95 points Vinous: "Assertive red and blue fruit, baking spice and incense aromas are complemented by suave floral and smoky mineral topnotes. Densely packed yet lithe on the palate, showing outstanding clarity to the sweet black raspberry, boysenberry, cherry and floral pastille flavors, which are supported by a core of juicy acidity. Smoothly plays power off finesse and finishes extremely long and sappy, with sneaky tannins shaping lingering lavender and berry notes. 50% whole clusters and 15% new oak."
The winery: 8 of the 15 barrels come from 100% whole cluster fermentations and 7 come from completely destemmed fermenters. Most of the wine comes from the large block located in the ideal location on the bowl-shaped hillside, but 3 barrels came from the block above that seemed to add a dimension of elegance and texture without taking away from the lavishness, deep fruited and structured wine we all know. This combination allows the structure and earthen minerality to be infused with the incredibly lush and dense fruit this vineyard produces creating a wine of great depth, character, complexity and flavor. 15% new barrel was used with a combination of once to four times used barrels to round out the barrel program. This wine wants to be perfect. It is youthful and jumpy right now. As of writing this, there is so much material rolling around with fruit and tannin. Its characteristics are sort of all over the place. Not unusual for great wines to begin at stages like this. This has power, concentration, dry extract, subtle spice undertones and enormous length. This is not necessarily a powerhouse, but it has so much to it that it’s impossible to doubt that there is profundity in this wine’s future. Taste it now for all the incredible stuff going on, but get it because it will be great years down the road.