Blended with 9% Merlot, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Upchurch Vineyard has an impressive nose that embodies the essence of a world-class Cabernet. It doesn't have the pyrazine notes of green bell pepper on the nose, as the fruit is focused yet almost shy. After I got the glass spinning, the aromas blackberry, blackcurrant and black plum all sing with elegance and ease. The medium to full-bodied palate is clean and focused, showing a mineral tension with a balanced backbone with an excellent structure to carry this wine for decades. The wine is finessed with a silken tapestry of complex black fruit and rocky earth that drinks with excellent precision. The wine ends is long and taut on the extended finish that continues to evolve and show more of its secrets as time goes on. It's an exceptional wine that should age in the cellar like a champion. I have a feeling that the price is going to increase, so get it now. Only 625 cases made. (AM)

Bright, dark red-ruby. Very sexy oak-driven scents of raspberry, sandalwood and spices convey noteworthy lift. A wonderfully silky and plush yet firm wine with concentrated, delineated flavors of huckleberry, raspberry, menthol and licorice pastille. The very long, mounting finish features suave, sophisticated tannins and terrific verve. Really outstanding retention of acidity for such a plush, ripe wine, and not a bit heavy. (14.6% alcohol; aged in 100% new oak) (ST)

The aromas are locked up at first, displaying notes of earth, dark cherry and spice. Dense, focused, structured fruit flavors follow. One of the wines of the vintage. Don't go near this one until at least 2024. It will have a long life in the cellar beyond that. *Cellar Selection* (SS)