93 Points - James Suckling
92 Points - Wine Spectator
91 Points - Wine Enthusiast
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 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
VINTAGE
The 2017 year began with abundant rainfall, followed by a mild Spring resulting in extended flowering with little shatter. The summer warmed up nicely, allowing the fruit to mature at an even rate and make optimum conditions for flavor development. A Labor Day weekend heat event kicked harvest into high gear, then cool weather allowed sugar levels to return to normal. The grapes were harvested in mid-September and the first week in October. The Cabernet Sauvignon in this wine was harvested from our Leonardini, Millennium MM, and Fawn Park estate vineyards.
Winemaker: Jason Moulton
Vintage: 2017
Appellation: 100% Napa Valley
Varietal Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol: 14.9%
91 Points
Aromas of raspberry croissant, red currants, cocoa powder and layers of graphite. The palate showcases fine, firm tannins alongside chocolate cherry lollipop, red plums, dried goji berries and toasted brioche. Supple in texture and shows attractive depth on the finish.
91 Points
Layers of strawberry, baked cherry pie, anise, cherry lollipop, wild game, and spicebox. On the palate, black cherry jam couples with crème de cassis, mixed berry crisp, rhubarb, and a touch of vanilla.
92 Points
Blackberry pie, dried Mission figs, baking spices, blackberry coulis and a hint of cigar box on the nose. The palate offers smooth and velvety tannins, chocolate-covered cherries, red currants, huckleberry pie, toasted walnuts, vanilla and hibiscus. A classic example of a perfectly balanced valley floor Cabernet with excellent fruit concentration.
98 Points, Best of Class
Super-Tuscan style blend offering aromas of ripe berries and black fruits, interwoven with hints of vanilla, caramel, raw tobacco, leather, clove, blood orange peel, and roasted walnuts. Rich and generous flavors of briary blackberry, dark cherry, ripe plum and cassis.
90 Points
Polished with a very modern feel - think rich, concentrated, intense, deep and very long, with tons of sexy black fruit, and just the right touch of French oak. This stuff ROCKS for the price!
95 Points
Aromas of wild berry, ripe fig underpinned with hints of licorice, dark chocolate, savory spice, and cigar box. The palate is robust, youthful and bursting with natural energy. Flavors continue to expand vibrant dark cherry, blackberry, fresh currant, ripe plum, with hints of cassis, sage, mocha, cinnamon, and fine French oak.
Big & Jammy!
Picked from old vines in Chiles Valley. Deep Blackberry, plum, smoky blueberry, roasted fig, dried dark flowers, cigar box, spice, black pepper, hints of vanilla, nicely integrated oak. WOW!
92 Points
Aromas of black cherry jam, boysenberry, raspberry, interlace with hints of baking spice, espresso bean, and toasted nut. On the palate ripe and juicy flavors of dark cherry, huckleberry and raspberry are perfectly integrated with notes of spice, dark chocolate, and a kiss of American oak.
94 Points
Violet black in color with aromas of rich fruity dark berries, honeycomb, vanilla, and hints of forest floor join together with bold flavors of black cherry, and spiced nut. Balanced oak, layered palette, leaving you with a enjoyable persistent finish.
Modern, Sexy & Full
Aromas of wild blackberries and blueberries interwoven with enchanting notes of fresh mint, lavender, roasted walnut, savory spices, and a captivating hint of dark chocolate drizzled with fine balsamic. Notes of plum, blueberry and cassis with hints of wild sage, licorice, black pepper, and an elegant touch of fine-grained oak.
91 Points
Aromas and flavors of watermelon, white nectarine, green melon, blanched almonds, white tea, and just a smooch of dried herbs that hit the back palate. Graceful and vivacious and will be enjoyed this year through next.
95 Points
Golden lemon core with a silvery rim, it's full-bodied, plush on the tongue, and delivers phenomenal purity of fruit on the front and mid-palate. Notes of baked lemon pie, Bartlett pear, lemony herbs, and crushed wet rock are everpresent, with balanced acidity and a dried thyme aspect hitting the lengthy finish.
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