2020 The Setting Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

The Setting is a partnership between winemaker Jesse Katz of Aperture Cellars and the Cova and McMahon families. This 100% Cabernet is sourced from the Skellenger Vineyard in Oakville and was aged 24 months in Seguin Moreau and Taransaud barrels. Opaque ruby in the glass, showing a good bit of restraint which relaxes with some aeration to reveal pretty dark black fruit, scorched herbs, coffee beans, and rich cedar spices. Full-bodied, with absolute power and intensity, running the full spectrum of black, red, and blue fruit notes framed by massive sculpted tannins. Pure power. Don't think of popping corks until 2024. (JC)

The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville pours an inky black and has aromas of pencil shavings, mocha, cedar, and plum preserve. Full-bodied, with good plushness of fruit, it has a velvety texture upfront though turns a bit gripping on the finish, likely due to the vintage. It’s a well-made wine, though, with a lot to love, with inky fruit, good depth, a clean finish that’s plush with espresso and warming spice. (AF)