2017 Audax receives 90 points from James Suckling
James Suckling reviewed the 2017 Audax:
90 points: A juicy red with currant, light coffee and walnut character. Medium body. Juicy and lightly chewy. Drink or hold.
https://www.jamessuckling.com/tasting-notes/136959/audax-cabernet-sauvignon-napa-valley-2017/
2017 Ultimate receives 93 points from James Suckling
James Suckling reviewed the 2017 Ultimate:
93 points: A tight, well-structured red with currant, chocolate and hazelnut aromas and flavors. Medium to full body and a rich palate with juicy fruit, yet there’s underlying freshness and focus. Needs a year or two to come together, but already looking excellent. Better after 2022.
2016 Ultimate awarded 93 points in September Tasting Panel Magazine
September 2020 issue of Tasting Panel Magazine:
93 points: Winemaker Cary Gott crafted this small-production blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, which aged 22 months in (40% new) French oak. At 14.8% ABV, it possesses a statuesque and broad-shouldered character. Tarry blackberry, dark chocolate, slate and licorice take command on the palate’s luxurious pinnacle alongside great acidity.
2016 Ultimate Red is highly recommended in California Grapevine
September 2020 issue of California Grapevine:
Highly recommended. Medium to medium-dark ruby; fragrant, floral, blackberry fruit aroma with hints of cassis, cocoa powder, and black olive; full body; rich, rounded, dark fruit flavors with hints of dried herbs and baking spice, and undertones of sweet oak; full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Could use another year or two of bottle aging.
2016 Ultimate awarded 93 points by James Suckling:
93 points: Deep, rich and velvety, this has a ton of fine tannins to balance the ripe blackberry, cassis and plum aromas. Although this isn’t tart, beneath the plush exterior is nice freshness that keeps this straight and prevents it from feeling heavy. Lovely interplay between delicately sweet fruit and dry tannins at the long finish. Drink or hold.
2015 Audax scored at 94 points in WashingtonWineBlog
The 2015 Audax Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder smaller portions Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Merlot. Aged for 27 months in 50% new French oak, the wine shows gorgeous kirsch tones that combine with creme de cassis, wild herbs and mocha tones that all mingle together in unison. The palate has a seamless texture and wonderful sense of opulence. Layers of dark fruits combine with dark chocolate shavings, thyme and sweet pipe tobacco with loamy terroir. A complete wine, this is simply marvelous now at the five year mark as the 2015 Audax Cabernet Sauvignon will provide drinking enjoyment for many decades to come. Drink 2020-2038.