2019 Asterisk Proprietary Red
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Tasting notes
Sloan's second wine, the 2019 Asterisk, is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Made under the direction of winemaker Martha McClellan and consultant Michel Rolland, this full-bodied effort broods behind scents of camphor, black cherries, raspberries and dark chocolate. Densely concentrated, almost fudge or cake-like, it does have just enough freshness to keep it on the rails and bring it home into a long, remarkably lively finish.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Tasting like a mini-version of the Grand Vin from this great estate, the 2019 Asterisk boasts a saturated purple/plum hue as well as a killer bouquet of plums, blackberries, iron, leafy tobacco, and loamy earth. I always find a certain bloody character in the wines of this estate, and this ripe, layered, medium to full-bodied wine has silky tannins, fabulous balance, and a great finish.
The 2019 Asterisk is a gorgeous second wine from Sloan. Black cherry, espresso, spice and leather fill out the layers nicely in this mid-weight offering. There is a bit of edginess in the tannin, so I would give this an hour or two of aeration.
About the producer
Sloan’s 13-acre estate vineyard, composed of mineral-rich, fractured volcanic rock and sandy loam, is located high in the eastern hills of Rutherford. Their inaugural vintage was 2000 and since it has grown a tremendous cult following for those lucky enough to get their hands on a few bottles.