by Calla Lily
Share
by Calla Lily
Share
In James Suckling’s November 23, 2016 article, The Top 100 Reds of Napa Valley 2016, the 2013 Ultimate Red was awarded 93 points and ranked #87 in the list of 100 wines.
93 points: A sleek and polished red with blackberry and lavender aromas and flavors. Medium to full body. Silky tannins. Drink or hold.
The list continues with many classics as well as relative newcomers. I tried to pick wines that excited me not so much for their flamboyance but for their beauty, complexity and balance. Drinkability, of course, is paramount and I think great wines are great from the beginning, whether from barrel or from bottle and through the years in the cellar.
http://www.jamessuckling.com/wine-tasting-reports/top-100-reds-napa-valley-2016/
STAY IN THE LOOP
Subscribe to our free newsletter.
Leave A Comment
From the eastern side of Howell Mountain, this estate grown red is a blend of 89.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5.3% Cab Franc, 4.7% Merlot, with a pinch of Malbec. Concentrated and opulent, with creamy boysenberry, black tea, and cinnamon spice. With a high tone profile, and a base of graphite, its athletic prowess is deep-rooted. ~
Steeped plum and blackberry fruit shows good density, while light accents of apple wood, singed anise and bramble add range and texture through the finish. Offers solid grip. Best from 2025 through 2036. 508 cases made. ~ Wine Spectator
From a winery in Pope Valley, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Ultimate Red is a slightly herbal, slightly dusty-earthy wine, with decent underlying cassis and black cherry fruit. It’s full-bodied, framed by similarly dusty tannins and some hints of dry cedar on the finish. — Wine Advocate
A selection of top lots from the estate’s Pope Valley holdings, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Audax saw about 50% new French oak, leaving it with some smoky, toasty nuances on the nose. There are also plenty of sage-like herbal notions, plus cassis, plum and vanilla notes. It’s full-bodied, richly textured and creamy-plush in feel, coming
