2017 Continuum Proprietary Red
Buying options
Tasting notes
100% estate grown and made. 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 9% Petit Verdot, 9% Merlot. All fruit was harvested before the fires started in early October. A full, expressive nose of juicy berries, fresh plum, and cherry accents. The palate is almost creamy in texture with notes of tobacco leaf, mountain sage, an abundance of spice, and a light touch of cacao nib. The tannin is abundant and grippy while also fine-grained and persistent – simply tannin of youth that was very well managed. This is one of the more elegant 2017 Napa Cabernets I have tasted and is impressively well balanced with more nuance and complexity than often found from the vintage. Well-balanced, mouth-watering acidity, and a lot of length. This will benefit from decanting. It can be enjoyed now alongside food though will be more approachable after another year in bottle. A lovely, well-crafted wine. It is less aromatic than the 2016, perhaps because it includes less Cabernet Franc as less of it was ready for harvest before the fires. Pleasing and savoury. (ECB)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
A blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 9% Petit Verdot and 9% Merlot, the deep garnet-purple 2017 Proprietary Red soars out of the glass with notions of baked blueberries, plum preserves and blackcurrant cordial, backed up by nuances of chocolate mint, wild sage, violets and pencil shavings, plus an earthy hint of Chinese five spice. The rich, seductive, full-bodied palate is jam-packed with spicy black fruit preserves, framed by wonderfully plush tannins and a lively backbone, finishing long and opulent.
Wonderful blackberry and blackcurrant aromas here with hints of mint and fresh sage. Some cassis. Wrought iron, too. Full-bodied, tight and elegant with lovely tension. Beautiful. Ends fine and focused. Drinkable now, but better after 2022.
The 2017 Proprietary Red Wine Sage Mountain Vineyard comes across as remarkably primary. Bright red-toned fruit and floral notes give the 2017 striking freshness as well as nuance. Deep and layered on the palate, with superb depth, the 2017 Continuum is easily one of the wines of the year. Even in the early going, it is truly magnificent.
About the producer
Created by Tim and Marcia Mondavi, Continuum is a Napa project that continues the Mondavi family legacy. Based in Pritchard Hill, this estate winery produces elegant, mineral Cabernet blends from hillside fruit.