2016 Monte Bello

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello is slightly more elegant and polished than the more concentrated, blockbuster styled 2015. Beautiful cassis, blue fruits, vanilla bean, smoked tobacco, and chocolate notes all define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied, has a refined, flawlessly balanced mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and a gorgeous finish. It's one of the of those wines that grows on you with time in the glass, and it's going to have 30-40 years of overall longevity. I don't think it's one of the all-time greats here, but it's an absolute sure bet of a stunning Monte Bello.

The 2016 Monte Bello is savory and delectable, showing early hints of evolution past its youthful primary phase. Fragrant but reserved at first, aromas of black tea, black truffle, turned earth and dried plums appear. Medium-bodied, succulent and sponge-like on the palate, the finish shows off vibrant, scrumptious acidity with slowly integrating but grippy tannins. Easing into a window of early consumption, this has another two decades of power in it, with further evolution beyond that likely. It contains 12% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 6% Cabernet Franc.

72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc. Organically grown. Late winter rains brought some relief from another year of drought. Monte Bello’s fractured limestone held onto this moisture for the vines to draw on through a mild summer. Unusually cold nights slowed ripening and developed firm acidity. Harvest 20 September to 13 October. Grapes destemmed, 100% whole berries. Automated berry sorting. Indigenous-yeast fermentation. Pressed at seven days. Natural malolactic. 18 months in barrel (98% new air-dried American oak, 2% new air-dried French oak). Very dark crimson. Real structure and much more backward than the 2018. Should prove a great long-distance runner. One of the biggest, boldest of these Monte Bellos. Quite dry on the end at the moment. But very long too. Pretty stunning! (JR)