2013 Leonetti Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5L)

“Leading off the 2013s, the 2013 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon comes all from estate vineyard and is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot and 7% Malbec, all of which spent 22 months in new and once used French oak. It’s vibrant purple color is followed by classic notes of crème de cassis, violets, tobacco leaf, lead pencil shavings and graphite. This full-bodied, ripe, yet still elegant Cabernet (which checks in at 14.7% alcohol) has terrific purity, ripe, polished tannin and a great finish. (JD)” (06/2016)

“Deep, dark and brooding, this vintage is singing at this stage of its development. Needing a one-hour decant to fully open, it leads with heady scents of baking spices, kirsch and cocoa powder. The palate is dense, showing its hedonistic bent. Black tea, black cherry cordial and mocha tones mingle with minerals, a light tannic backbone through toa wonderfully gratifying length. Seamless and delicious now but with a long life ahead of it. (OB)” (06/2020)

“Bright red-ruby. Very sexy aromas of blueberry, dark raspberry, pomegranate, mocha, cola and top-quality oak, lifted by violet and mint high tones. Very rich, deep, creamy wine, with its intense, vibrant red and darker berry flavors accented by spices. Slightly edgy acidity and youthfully clenched tannins call for patience; I would not be at all surprised if this seriously structured but plush and very long wine eventually merited an even higher rating. (ST) 93+” (11/2016)

“This wine is a blend of Seven Hills, Loess, Mill Creek Upland, Serra Pedace and Leonetti Old Block. Aromatically brooding at present, it shows intricate notes of barrel spice, thyme, coffee, cranberry, black tea and red and black fruit. The palate is tightly wound, with bright acid and lightly chewy tannins that need some time in the cellar to stretch their legs. *Cellar Selection* (SS)” (12/2016)

“Broad and expressive, with a sense of elegance to the savory-accented black cherry, berry and underbrush aromas and flavors, wrapped in fine, firm tannins. (HS)” (08/2016)

“Sweet and dense with lots of tannin on the end. A tad too chewy for the moment. Quite an ambitious mouthful! (JR)” (03/2017)