2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

(14.5% alcohol; includes 2.5% Petit Verdot): Bright, dark ruby. Amazingly primary aromas of blackberry, tar and espresso are lifted by a violet topnote. Utterly primary, even unformed, in the mouth, with an extremely dense, sappy flavor of crushed blueberry dominating today. But this remarkably backward, unyielding, hugely rich monolith of a Cabernet is still like an approximation of a great wine. With this hot vintage's small berries and large quantity of seeds implying a wine with a huge structure, winemaker Jim Duane carried out a very gentle extraction. Still, this very deep, sweet wine has a lot of baby fat to burn off. I felt like the blind man in front of the elephant but it's clear that this wine is potentially great. The major tannins coat the front teeth but do not come off as dry. Finishes classically dry and very long, with a lingering note of bitter chocolate torrefaction. Obviously, this wine may ultimately merit an even higher rating.

Aromas of blackberries with dried-mushroom and walnut undertones. Medium to full body, fine and silky tannins and a fresh and earthy finish. I like the decadent character to this.

The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is 97.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2.5% Petit Verdot aged 20 months in new French oak and is typically young, backward and for serious connoisseurs to stow away for at least 5-8 years prior to consumption. The 2013 is typically coiled, deep purple in color, with notes of burning embers, créme de cassis, a touch of earth, spice and tobacco leaf. It is full-bodied, moderately tannic and needs to be respected in terms of it not providing a whole lot of pleasure for another 5-8 years.