Estimate
This manages that Napa Valley tightrope walk, balancing generous ripeness (a slew of very ripe black berries of many kinds) with freshness and, although it must have seen plenty of new oak, it’s well integrated. Long, polished yet lively finish.
...emerges from the blocks on the property with the oldest vines and was aged in 100% new Taransaud and Darnajou barrels. The Reserve is riper, richer and more overt than the Estate, but there is an element of vanillin and macerated cherry note that suggests higher alcohol than the Estate, even though on paper the wines are quite similar in that regard. I would give the 2016 a few years... (December 2018)