2015-2019 Va Piano "Black Label - Rosebud Vineyard" Wahluke Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Vertical

“A deep and dark red with a beautiful depth of dark-berry and dark-chocolate character. Some stones, too. Full-bodied and layered, showing polished tannins and a very pretty finish. It's focused and energetic. Drink or hold.” (03/2018)

“The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Rosebud comes from the Wahluke Slope and is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% each of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, brought up in 80% new French oak. It reveals a saturated purple color as well as a backward yet impressive bouquet of crème de cassis, blueberries, crushed violets, graphite, and toasted spices. With full-bodied richness, a light, elegant texture, and beautiful purity, it's a gorgeous, seamless Cabernet Sauvignon that's going to benefit from short-term cellaring and will shine for 15+ years. This is another terrific lineup from winemaker Justin Wylie, who sources grapes from numerous Washington State AVAs.” (04/2018)

“(another black-label bottling; 50% new oak; from Rosebud Vineyard on the Wahluke slope; this fruit was harvested on October 12): Bright, full ruby. Sexy, rather old school aromas of redcurrant, plum, earth, brown spices, mocha, coffee and menthol, plus a darker note of boysenberry. Concentrated, dense flavors of currant and dark raspberry show more sweetness and baby fat than the Red Mountain Cabernet, with less of the greenness of that wine (and much more supporting density of material). Seriously rich, tactile and deep, with a youthfully medicinal cast to its cassis, black cherry, licorice and herb flavors. Finishes smooth and long, with ripe, firm, integrated tannins, a hint of dark chocolate and excellent energy. This is built for a leisurely evolution in bottle. (ST) 91+” (06/2017)

“A firm, silky red with currant, plum and berry character. Medium body, round and polished tannins and a flavorful finish. This is a delicious red with great texture and balance. Fantastic wine. Drink or hold.” (04/2020)

“The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Rosebud Vineyard (90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Merlot brought up in 80% new French oak) is a little bloody and meaty, with darker notes of blueberries, damp earth, lavender, and violets. It shows beautiful fruit on the palate and is medium to full-bodied, with terrific density and depth, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It's a rounded, balanced, complete wine that has enough fruit and texture to shine today, but it deserves 3-4 years of bottle age and will keep for two decades. Winemaker Justin Wylie has pretty much knocked it out of the park with these latest 2016s and there are the finest set of releases I’ve tasted from Va Piano.” (04/2019)

“The aromas bring immediate appeal, with notes of dried herb, barrel spice and black fruit. Rich but well-balanced fruit flavors follow along with a lengthy finish. It has a nice yum factor. Some time in the cellar will be rewarded. Best after 2023, with a long life in front of it. *Cellar Selection* (SS)” (05/2019)

“Full red-ruby. More expressive on the nose at present than the DuBrul Cabernet, offering aromas of plum, currant, mocha, spices and dried flowers. Plusher and finer-grained on the palate, with its brisk boysenberry and blueberry flavors complemented by soil-inflected notes of earth, wild herbs and dried flowers. More harmonious than the DuBrul, this wine ultimately delivers enticing subtle sweetness along with a major dose of chocolatey oak. Finishes with tongue-dusting tannins, a slight herbal dryness and very good length. This fruit was harvested into November in 2016. (ST)” (11/2018)

“The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Rosebud Vineyard comes from a site on the Wahluke Slope and is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc aged 22 months in 50% new oak. With terrific purity of fruit as well as full-bodied aromas and flavors of crème de cassis, black raspberries, spring flowers, toasted spice, and hints of loamy soils, it bucks the vintage profile and offers a rocking sense of opulence and sexiness that's rarely found in 2017. Despite loads of up-front fruit, it's balanced and has a great mid-palate as well as enough structure and length to evolve for 20-25 years or more.” (04/2020)

“Ample blue fruits, violets, and classy oak notes emerge from the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Rosebud Vineyard, which comes from a site on the Wahluke Slope and is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% each of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Full-bodied, concentrated, yet young and unevolved, it’s a gorgeous wine needing 2-4 years of bottle age and will keep for 15-20. 94+” (05/2021)

“Notes of spiced plums and blackberries with coffee beans, sweet spices and nut shells. Medium- to full-bodied with tight, chewy tannins. Structured and broad with impressive tension and length, and deep dark-fruit character underneath. Needs some time. Try from 2025.” (03/2023)

“Opening to a delightful combination of freshness, ripeness and juiciness, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Black Label Rosebud Vineyard is framed by bold fruit aromas that elegantly sway with hints of plum blossom, complemented by oak tones. The nose reveals fine mineral nuances, while the palate showcases ripe dark cherry notes intertwined with hints of coffee beans. It culminates in a long oak embrace that unwinds into a lingering, spicy finish. The Black Label Rosebud Cabernet is a truly enjoyable drinking experience that leaves a lasting impression, beckoning me back for more. Yum! (AM)” (03/2024)

“The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Rosebud Vineyard, which includes 10% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, comes from a site on the Wahluke Slope and spent 22 months in 90% new French oak. It has a beautiful nose of red and black currants, new leather, spicy oak, and sandalwood. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, pure, focused Cabernet that has terrific overall balance, fine yet building tannins, and ample background oak. Give it 2-4 years to integrate its oak, and it should evolve gracefully over the following 10-15 years.” (07/2024)

“This is my favorite Rosebud since “Citizen Kane.” Blackberries are almost overshadowed by aromas of lilacs, espresso, orange peel and graphite. Grippy tannins back rich blackberry and blueberry flavors that never quit. The wine's mouthfeel is as full as Charles Foster Kane's list of regrets. *Cellar Selection* (MA)” (05/2024)