2018 Accendo Cabernet Sauvignon
Buying options
Tasting notes
A truly generous wine that balances red, black, and blue-toned fruits, interlaced with savoury baking spices and tobacco and possessing an earthy intensity. The fruit concentration is quite compact, and the wine is tightly knit with excellent mid-palate density and pixelated tannins framed by a coolness to the acid tension that runs through the centre of the wine. Lovely, refined, with electric freshness and a gorgeously floral finish. In this vintage, grapes sources are Sleeping Lady, Vine Hill Ranch and M-Bar. Cabernet Franc comes from Diamond Mountain, and Petit Verdot comes from Ecotone at the base of Howell Mountain. Accendo Cellars (produced at Wheeler Farms) is the second act of Bart and Daphne Araujo, who sold their iconic estate to the Pinault family, which now owns Eisele Vineyard. Today, second-generation partners Jaime and Greg Araujo are running the family business. (JC)
Critic scores
Average Score
Wine Spectator
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is just as magnificent as it was last year. Dark, sensual and enveloping, the 2018 possesses off the charts intensity and fabulous balance. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, spice and licorice all build over time, but it is the wine's mind-blowing intensity and pedigree that are once again so alluring. The 2018 is quite simply regal. (AG)
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Deep garnet-purple in color, it leaps from the glass with classic cassis, warm plums and boysenberries scents plus nuances of violets, lavender, pencil lead and menthol with hints of crushed rock and tilled soil. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is built like a brick house, framed by firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness with super intense black fruit and earthy layers, finishing long and mineral laced. (LPB) 98+