2017 - Gravelly Meadow, Diamond Creek, Napa Valley

The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow is ample and full in feel. Dark fruit, scorched earth, licorice, chocolate, spice, leather and menthol fill out the layers effortlessly. Somber and brooding, the Gravelly Meadow has a lot going on. It clearly needs time to be at its best. Firm hillside tannins add to a feeling of gravitas. There is real weight and substance here.

Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow sashays out of the glass with opulent scents of crème de cassis, preserved plums and red currant jelly with hints of Chinese five spice, candied violets and beef drippings plus a waft of chocolate mint. Medium to full-bodied, the palate reveals a good concentration of red and black fruit preserves, while the tannins are just a little rugged with a chewy/stewed texture. It is a little hard and charred on the back palate/finish. The blend this year is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, 5% Malbec and 3% Cabernet Franc. It was aged for 22 months in French oak, 100% new.