2018 Cariad Cabernet Sauvignon
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Tasting notes
One thing the 2018s from Colgin have in common is a sense of greater tautness and freshness than the 2016s. The 2018 Cariad—a blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot—adds dried sage and redcurrants to a base of black cherries on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is energetic, framed by fine-grained tannins and hints of pencil shavings on the long, elegant finish.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
What a thrill it is to taste the 2018 Cariad again. Last year the 2018 was magnificent. It is all that this year too. Powerful and explosive, the 2018 is captivating from the very first taste. Healthy dollops of Cabernet Franc and Merlot add layers to this deep, wonderfully vibrant Napa Valley red. In a big morning tasting at Colgin spanning more than a dozen wines, the 2018 Cariad was a stand out. Superb.
The 2018 Cariad isn’t far off and has a wealth of blue fruits, musky earth, spice, and floral notes as well as a deep, rich, layered style on the palate. As with all the 2018s here, the tannin quality is incredible, and it has a plush, sexy, already complex style that’s hard to resist. It’s going to evolve for 25+ years. The blend is 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot.
The 2018 Cariad is breathtaking right out of the gate. What a wine! Bright acids and beams of underlying structure give the Cariad tons of energy that really drives its feel. Effusive and vibrant in the glass, with tons of pedigree, Cariad is drop-dead gorgeous in 2018. Winemaker Allison Tauziet opted not to use Petit Verdot in this vintage, choosing instead to use a bit more Franc. I can't really say the wine is missing the Petit Verdot, while the Franc seems to give added aromatic explosiveness. Then again, all of this fruit is sourced from David Abreu's Madrona Ranch, a stellar site with a stunning array of clones, including some pretty magical Franc.
About the producer
Colgin has been producing some of the finest Cabernet blends in Napa Valley since its first vintage in 1992. Within just 13 years, it was recognised as one of the top 50 wine estates in the world by Robert Parker.