Offers distinctive sassafras and wild herb aromas, quickly backed up by gently steeped plum, currant and raspberry fruit flavors. Picks up warm earth and tobacco notes, with a racy iron streak buried deeply on the finish. Delivering fruit, minerality, depth and cut, this is one for the cellar. (JM)

I was thrilled to taste the 2016 Rothwell Hyde as it was the only 2016 I hadn’t tasted. This was a great, great vintage for Napa and this quality shows, with the wine possessing a youthful, vibrant hue as well as classic notes of crème de cassis, violets, chocolate, and truffly earth. It’s concentrated, medium to full-bodied, and elegant on the palate. It’s going to evolve for two decades, but it sure offers loads of pleasure today.

The 2016 Rothwell Hyde is a gorgeous wine to drink now, for readers who can find it. Soft and elegant with silky tannins and fabulous balance, the 2016 has so much to offer already. Black cherry, mocha, espresso, licorice, lavender and spice contribute aromatic nuance, but more than anything else, the 2016 is racy and open-knit, with tons of immediacy. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this gem. (AG)