2017 Ballentine Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
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I also loved the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. This blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec, and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petite Sirah sports a deep purple hue as well as medium-bodied notes of blueberries, violets, smoked earth, and sappy flowers. It has good acidity, a fresh, lively texture, and a balanced, seamless style that’s going to evolve nicely for 10-15 years.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is richer and more powerful than the Estate Cabernet, if you can believe that. Sweet floral and spice notes add a good bit of sweetness to the super-ripe red cherry and plum fruit. The Reserve has quite a bit of tannin and oak influence that I am not sure meaningfully improves the wine; I prefer the straight Estate Cabernet. This is a distinctly sweet style.
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is composed of 96.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Franc and 0.5% Petite Sirah, aged for 22 months in French oak barrels, 100% new. Deep garnet-purple color, it springs from the glass with crème de cassis, blueberry compote and tilled soil scents plus nuances of dried Provence herbs, underbrush, unsmoked cigars and cedar chest. The full-bodied palate delivers fantastic concentration with densely packed black fruit layers and a solid foundation of firm, chewy tannins, finishing long and layered.