Wine Advocate 92+, the top vintage ever for this venerable Napa Cabernet stalwart:
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is made up of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petite Sirah, 5% Petit Verdot, 1% Merlot and 1% Malbec, aged in 30% new French and American oak. Deep garnet-purple colored, it gives up bold notions of cassis, black cherries and spice box with hints of cedar and fragrant earth. The palate is medium to full-bodied, firm and grainy with loads of muscular fruit accented by a notable but not overwhelming oaky presence, going to a long, layered finish.
Also Suckling 93 – the best vintage ever:
A silky and harmonious cabernet with currants, light chocolate and spice. Medium to full body, lightly round tannins and a flavorful finish. Real Napa cabernet at a good price. Drink or hold.
And Wine Enthusiast 94:
This is a powerhouse wine, surprisingly soft and supple on the palate, with firm, integrated tannins and hearty oak. Cedar, pencil shavings and sweet tobacco provide savory complexity on the midpalate, accenting a core of concentrated red currant and plum. The finish is a mix of black pepper and dark chocolate.
And Decanter loved it, too:
Powerful, thick blackberry nose. Rich, opulent with volume and weight. Notes of liquorice and dark chocolate.
Great reviews on CellarTracker, too:
Absolutely solid juice here, getting better by the year.
I’d love to blind taste this against the big $$ junk and see what happens.
Fabulous wine for the $$$
Drink now and it will really pop in 2024-6.
Still evolving, still terrific for the $$.
Rebuy.
Drink now thru 2024-6 easy