Estimate
...flirts with perfection... ...a dead ringer for a great vintage of Haut-Brion, and while I normally save that comparison for the Dr. Crane release, it’s every bit as warranted here. Quintessential Cabernet notes of dark currants, tobacco, earth, and chocolate give way to a full-bodied, rich, powerful, yet also perfectly balanced wine delivering ripe tannins, incredible depth, and a magical finish.
...100% Cabernet Sauvignon, all coming from the Houyi vineyards on the Nine Suns property... ...revealing notes of crème de cassis, stewed black plums and mulberries with touches of cedar chest, tobacco leaf, crushed rocks, wild sage and iron ore. Full-bodied, the concentrated palate is densely packed with plum preserves and cassis flavors, framed by firm, grainy tannins and beautiful freshness, ultimately delivering a nice, long savory/earthy finish.
Loads of iron-shaving and lead-pencil aromas follow through to a medium to full body. Texture of thick silk. Extremely refined and polished tannins. So long and distinctive and typical for the area of Pritchard Hill. Needs three or four year to soften and come together.
...bristles with energy and tension. Inky, jammy fruit, gravel, spice, menthol, licorice and chocolate race across the palate. Readers will find a Cabernet that marries Napa Valley opulence from the structure and strong mineral inflections typical of this hillside site in the Vaca Mountains. This is a fabulous edition of the Houyi. The 2019 is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon taken from six different blocks.