Colgin Cellars Cariad Napa Valley Red Blend 2019

Limited Colgin Cabernet available. 100 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "One of the two perfect wines in the lineup, the 2019 Cariad is 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot and Merlot, all from David Abreu’s Madrona Ranch Vineyard. Brought up in two-thirds new French oak, it has a regal, noble, full-bodied style that carries incredible tannins and balance, as well as off-the-charts purity in its floral, chocolate, lead pencil, and assorted red, blue, and black fruits. The tannins’ quality is truly something, and it’s rare to find a wine offering this level of purity, balance, and intensity at the same time. As with most 2019s, it already offers ample pleasure, yet smart money will give these 3-4 years, and it’s capable of evolving for 30 to 40 years." 99 points Robert Parker:  "Cariad is Colgin’s stunning expression of David Abreu’s Madrona Ranch vineyard, where the oldest plot is now 36 years old. Even more Cabernet Franc went into the blend this year, giving the wine a captivating brightness. This 2019 simply shimmers! Composed of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot, the deep purple-black colored 2019 Cariad opens with wonderfully fragrant, earthy scents of dusty soil, iron ore and crushed rocks, over a core of black raspberries, warm cassis, red roses and juicy black plums, plus hints of pencil shavings and bouquet garni. Full-bodied, the palate features a rock-solid backbone of firm, grainy tannins and loads of minerally sparks with beautiful freshness, finishing very long and savory." There are a lot of magnificent estates with Shangri-La-like beauty spread throughout California, and the Colgin property is in the top ten list for spectacular views as well as top quality. Sitting atop Pritchard Hill with stunning views of Lake Hennessey and the surrounding mountains, their IX Estate Vineyard is on a steep, intimidating hillside. It is one of the must-see attractions in Northern California, if not the entire state. The longstanding winemaking team of Ann Colgin, Allison Tauziet and Bordeaux consultant Dr. Alain Raynaud has produced some magnificent wines over the years (the 2001s, 2002s, 2005s, 2007s and 2008s) as well as amazing efforts in 2009, 2010 and 2012. There are three Bordeaux blend offerings, one from their Tychson Hill estate vineyard off Highway 29, north of St. Helena, and the second, the IX Estate blend. The Cariad is fashioned from a blend of grapes purchased from a number of David Abreu-s well-known and highly respected vineyards. There is also a fourth wine, the IX Estate Syrah, which is often a dead-ringer for a great Northern Rhone.

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