Araujo Estate Altagracia Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2013

Limited new red from cult producer Araujo Estate.  One of Napa Valley's cult producers this is always a limited release. 95 points James Suckling: "Glorious aromas, like walking into a flower shop, from roses to lilacs. Lots of dark fruit too. Then goes to slate and dark mushroom. Full body, super refined tannins and refresh and ultra-clean finish. A thoroughly balanced and refined wine" 93 points Robert Parker:  "As for the 2013 Proprietary Red Altagracia, the blend is slightly different, at 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec. One of the finest Altagracias I’ve tasted to date, the color is saturated ruby/purple, much darker than the 2012 and the wine slightly less fragrant and more coiled tight. Yet, it is also more concentrated and promising. The wine is a heck of a second wine, but does require some patience. For now, deep, rich blackcurrant and blackberry fruit with floral notes (white flowers?), medium to full body and sweet tannin are all present in this relatively larger-scaled Altagracia than we’ve seen in the past (14.8% alcohol). The finish is long, still youthful and certainly approachable, but this wine will be better with 2-4 years bottle age and should keep for at least two decades... ...This famous estate tucked away in northeastern Napa Valley in the foothills of the Vaca Mountains is now fully controlled, in both a viticultural and winemaking standpoint, by Château Latour’s François Pinault and his general manager Frédéric Engerer. The new releases include their second wine, the Altagracia."

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