As a director of several wine competitions, I get the pleasure of tracking some special wines across their early development. This wine has been in several competitions over the past year, and it continues to develop in the bottle. I think it’s reached a solid spot now, with layered blackberry, cassis, spice, dried herbs and gorgeous supple structure that keeps it all together. An attractive sweet oak spice comes slightly forward in the finish, keeping things bright to the end. Beautifully realized, and a long term cellar candidate. I’m betting you won’t be able to hold it very long. A Platinum Award winner at the 2021 Monterey International Wine Competition.
V. Sattui Winery, Napa Valley (California) 2017
By Rich Cook