($160): In a word, gorgeous.  Ok, two words: Gorgeous and stunning.  Sure it’s powerful.  But for all its power, it has amazing elegance and gracefulness, which is why it’s so stunning and gorgeous.  It has everything you’d want in Napa Valley Cabernet — dark fruit flavors, a hint of savory notes, plush tannins and a seemingly never ending finish.  In fairness, since I frequently criticize wines that are marred by heat from high levels of alcohol, you’d never know this one weighs in at a stated 14.5 percent.  Explosive, without being heavy, its dances and expands on the palate without a trace of heat.  Each sip is better than the last as new flavors emerge.  For those who want the details:  a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (90%), Petit Verdot (5%), Cabernet Franc (3%) and Malbec.  Most of the grapes came from their Martin Stelling wine, which is right behind the winery.  Wine like this one is a reason to play the lottery.
98 Michael Apstein Jul 11, 2017