A lovely, complex wine that shows the benefits of blending grapes source from various venues, in this case Pritchard Hill, St. Helena, and the Caldwell Vineyard in Coombsville. It also helps to have Philippe Melka as your winemaker. The flavors are of lush cassis tempered by just-ripe blackberries that are still holding some of their savory qualities of dried herbs and a hint of tobacco leaf. The tannins are drying on the palate, with the overall effect being that of a savory wine in spite of the lovely fruitiness which again shows itself in the aftertaste. Although it pairs well with food, it’s a shame to let anything compete with the wine itself. Sip slowly.
Moone Tsai, Napa Valley (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
By Roger Morris