2018 Ballard Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Ballard Vineyard is bright, punchy and full of character. Inky red/purplish berry fruit, rose petal, spice, pomegranate and mint all race out of the glass, framed by silk tannins that add a real feeling of sensuality. Effusive, aromatic and finessed, the Ballard is superb in this tasting. Readers will find a classy, sublime Cabernet Sauvignon loaded with personality.

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Ballard Vineyard is another fabulous wine in this range. In most of the previous vintages, the Ballard Cabernet has been quite juicy and forward. The 2018 has plenty of that too, but it also offers a striking range of savory and mineral-laced inflections that add nuance as well as a level of sheer complexity I don't think I have seen here in the past. The 2018 is positively stellar.