Cathiard Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 750ml

Wonderful aromas of blackcurrants, dark plums, mint, sage, and dried wood. Some sandalwood. Full- to medium-bodied with tannins that have the texture of fine velvet and run down the length of the wine. Extremely polished and refined. Sophisticated. Firm at the end. This will age beautifully. Pure cabernet sauvignon. Best after 2026.

Extraordinary and opulent, this densely concentrated, luxuriously textured flagship Napa wine by Florence and Daniel Cathiard of Bordeaux is their first vintage from the former Flora Springs property. The wine is softly saturated with black currants, blueberries, spearmint and black olives for a comforting, mouth-filling expression that is at once powerful and gentle. It feels layered, deep and creamy. Best from 2027-2037. (Cellar Selection)

Ripe and juicy blue fruit aromas on the nose with some soft wood spice, acaia, liquorice, a touch of California heat in the aromas but smells fresh and inviting. Clean, supple, lively, pure and focussed on the palate. Tannins take the fore, really quite mouthfilling with ash, smoke, tar, tobacco edges, leather and some meat, underpinning the blackcurrant, black cherry and blueberry fruit. Still quite tense, focused in the centre, driving from start to finish in one line, despite the slight weight and nice density of the tannins. A very soft vanilla sweetness is also apparent. It's both potent and poised, perfumed and pure. You can't get away from the liquorice and tar undercurrent that really marks the wine. Dark, savoury, brooding, a really complete wine. Lots of personality and manages the combination of having both Bordeaux and Napa sparkle. A delicious first vintage from the new Napa estate owned by Florence and Daniel Cathiard of Smith Haut Lafitte. Directors Justine Labbé and Fabien Teigen, consultants Michel Rolland and Frederick Ammons.

Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon off 45-year-old vines, the deep garnet-purple colored 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate reveals vivacious notions of warm cassis, raspberry coulis, and wild blueberries, followed by suggestions of Indian spice, clove oil, dried lavender, and fragrant earth with a waft of menthol. The medium to full-bodied palate is generous and seductive, featuring fine-grained tannins and alluring tension to support the savory layers, finishing long and fragrant. 9,000 bottles were made.

There are 9,000 bottles of the flagship 2020 Cathiard Vineyard Proprietary Red, a sturdy blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. Marked by scents of black cherries, cassis and cedar, this debut is medium to full-bodied and nicely proportioned but also a bit astringent and drying, in need of time to come together. Finishing with savory elements of mocha, earth and black olives, this wine offers a promising juxtaposition of California fruit with Bordelais sensibilities regarding structure and aging.

Forward, with a gush of dark cherry and plum fruit wrapped in black licorice. Shows brambly grip but stays fleshy and open-knit overall, with a not-shy dose of dark toast on the finish. Drink now through 2033. 395 cases made.

A dense aromatic profile of earth, dark plum, Valrhona chocolate, tobacco and spice dominate the nose. The palate is rich and round with seamless velvety tannins. A focused acidity complimented with a balanced, complete mouthfeel leads to a finish that displays the very best of the terroir farmed by Cathiard Vineyard.