93 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
92 Points - James Suckling
92 Points - Wine Spectator
The beautiful underlying tannin structure of this wine, along with its complexity and ample fruit will continue to evolve. Enjoy now or cellar for 15-20 years.
WINEMAKING
Harvested in the early morning hours, this Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot were carefully destemmed and sent to tank for a whole-berry fermentation. The grapes were cold-soaked in tank at 45 degrees for 4-7 days, allowing for increased color, aroma, and flavor extraction. After inoculation, the grape must (juice, skins, and seeds) fermented at 82 degrees, which allowed for a hot extraction on the skins. For fermentation cap management, we pumped juice over the skins two times per day, wetting the cap evenly for a nice healthy fermentation. After fermentation and pressing, the wine was sent to 65% new French oak, 35% neutral French oak barrels, aging for 26 months. The final blend for the Leonardini Estate is 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot and was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
VINTAGE
The 2016 vintage began with a mild winter and not much rain, leading to an early bud break and an early start of our growing season. Spring weather was cool and summer was warm, allowing the fruit to mature at a steady pace. By September and October, the grapes were harvested at optimal ripeness. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot in this wine were harvested from our Oak Glen, Leonardini, Millennium MM, and Fawn Park Estate vineyards.
Winemaker: Jason Moulton
Vintage: 2016
Appellation: 100% Napa Valley
Varietal Composition: 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot
Alcohol: 14.9%
95 Points, Double Gold
Deep ruby in color this wine is juicy and structured. Blueberry, black cherry and wild blackberry, framed by notes of sweet licorice, violets, sage and bay leaf. Firm tannins hint at a long life ahead in the cellar, and the wine remains impeccably balanced.
97 Points, Best of Class
Bountiful, lavish and plush with aromas of plum, bramble berry, mocha, cedar, and red currant. The mouth is lush with a nice mix of red and dark fruit, with shades dark on the finish. There is a touch of espresso, ripe black cherry, and petrichor. The acid is nicely framed by juicy fruit and generous French oak.
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