92 Points - Wine Spectator
91 Points - Wine Advocate
91 Points - James Suckling
90 Points - Wine Enthusiast
We recommend decanting for a few hours before enjoying.
Will age gracefully in the cellar for 15-20 years.
WINEMAKING
The 2016 Mancino Lanciatore is a stunning wine of power and concentration. Its name translated from Italian means "left-handed thrower" and is an ode to our proprietor, Thomas Leonardini, Sr. and several other left-handed Leonardinis. Upon hand harvesting in the early morning hours, grapes 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, the juice was pumped 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 60% new French oak, 40% neutral oak barrels, aging for 26 months. 2016 Mancino Lanciatore is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. At bottling, this wine was 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 in this wine was harvested predominantly from the Oak Glen vineyard, but has a touch of our Fawn Park and Millenium MM vineyard to balance it out.
Winemaker: Jason Moulton
Vintage: 2016
Appellation: 100% Napa Valley
Varietal Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol: 15.1%
95 Points
Rich and full-bodied, packed with dark fruit flavors of blackberry, ripe plum, and dark cherry. Notes of cocoa, cedar, and warm spice add complexity, while firm tannins and a touch of volcanic minerality reflect the bold characteristics of Calistoga’s terroir. Full-bodied in texture, and remarkably velvety. The tannins gracefully interweave, establishing a flawless equilibrium of acidity and pleasing fruit.
92 Points
Deep floral notes (violets), blackberry, black cherry, and cassis. Driven by the mountain's steep, cool-climate terroir, it balances rich notes of blackberry and pomegranate seamlessly intertwined with dark plum, cocoa dust, and roasted mocha, hints of roasted mocha and spice undertones add depth to its complex profile, culminating in a bold, yet elegant finish.
95 Points
This stellar Napa Valley Red Blend marries lush plum and cherry with Malbec's dark berry depth and Petit Verdot's structure and spice. Layered with notes of blackberry, violet, and cocoa, this silky wine finishes with smooth tannins and a whisper of toasted oak. Robust and mouth-filling, with spicy nuances, smooth tannins, firm structure, and a long lingering finish.
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