2017 Pride Mountain Napa-Sonoma Counties Cabernet Sauvignon (3L)

Composed of 92.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.5% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon comes from 47% Sonoma County and 53% Napa County. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it opens with pronounced notes of blackcurrant pastilles, baked black plums and mulberries plus hints of bay leaves, pencil lead, cedar chest and fallen leaves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is softly textured and laden with baked black berries and plums flavors, supported by refreshing acidity and finishing with loads of herbal and earth accents. (LPB)

Very much wearing its youth on its sleeve and just a touch tight yet very solidly fruity and nicely filled, this attractive offering teases with slightly juicy cherries and red currants in its tastefully oaked aromas and delivers the same with a little more emphasis in its continuous, well-defined flavors. It is neither brooding nor bound up in impossible tannins and, in fact, shows a good deal of polish, but it comes with clear promise of increased range to come once a few years have passed and is structured to encourage keeping for a few more after that.