93 Points - James Suckling
91 Points - Wine Spectator
The underlying tannin structure of this wine, along with its complexity and ample fruit will continue to evolve for 15-20 years.
WINEMAKING
Upon hand harvesting in the early morning hours, our 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 ̊F for 4-7 days, allowing for increased color, aroma, and flavor extraction. After inoculation, the grape juice, skins, and seeds fermented at 82 ̊F, 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 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. At bottling, this wine was unfined and unfiltered.
VINTAGE
The 2018 vintage was a near perfect growing season! Bud break began in late March to early April, leading to a Spring that was mild and dry. Summer was also quite warm and long, leading to a cooling effect near the end of the season and into Fall. The consistent summer weather encouraged our Cabernet Sauvignon grapes to ripen in late mid-September to late October when they were in perfect balance. The fruit is from our Estate vineyards in Rutherford, St. Helena, and the Oak Knoll District appellations. The grapes in this wine were harvested from our Leonardini, Fawn Park, and Millennium MM Estate vineyards.
Winemaker: Jason Moulton
Vintage: 2018
Appellation: 100% Napa Valley
Varietal Composition: 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot
Alcohol: 14.9%
95 Points
Entices with aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry, and cedar spice. Indicative of the cool vintage, the wine carries a freshness throughout. The palate offers a harmonious balance between bright red fruit, spice, and nicely woven tannins.
95 Points
Deep garnet-purple in color, it strides confidently out of the glass with notes of crushed blueberries, ripe, fresh blackberries and warm cassis plus hints of black cherry, cardamom and nutmeg. The full-bodied palate is full of crunchy black fruits. It's rich and ripe firm chewy tannins provide additional structure and complexity as you make your descent into a long and flavorful finish.
94 Points
Aromas of honey, ginger, and key lime radiate from this elegant Chardonnay. A burst of fresh citrus, lime, and star fruit enlivens the front palate upon first sip and is quickly followed by ginger and white pepper, all underscored by subtle notes of white peach and cardamom. Vibrant acidity and steely minerality give the wine excellent structure as it moves into a long, flavorful finish.
93 Points
Robust aromatics of boysenberry, blackberry, cranberry, and black cherry are the centerpiece of this wine, harmonizing with the underlying aromas of violets, sandalwood, and forest floor. The first sip opens on the palate with a rush of softness and density, and lush, savory tannins. Red berries, blackberry, and cassis envelop the tongue on the mid-palate, gently punctuated with subtle acidity followed by a long, flavorful finish.
94 Points
Aromas of fresh lime, verbena, and gooseberry are followed by a juicy, aromatic front palate with bright acidity that wakes up your taste buds. The heightened aromatics develop even greater complexity on the mid-palate, featuring fresh lemon and star fruit, with just a hint of green apple and mango. Gorgeous structural precision leads to a long and chiseled finish with lasting minerality.
90 Points
Aromas of cranberry, sour cherry, plum, and orange rind, complemented by hints of forest floor, pine needles, and rosemary. The wine opens with flavor of juicy red fruit supported by spicy undertones of red pepper and black tea. The freshness of its red fruit are enhanced a vibrant core of light acidity and full rich tannins all of which linger gracefully in the long finish.
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