2016 Clark-Claudon Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon (100% Cabernet) is deep garnet-purple colored and opens with flamboyant crème de cassis, blackberry pie and warm plums scents with hints of cigar box, bay leaves and dusty soil. Medium to full-bodied, the palate gives a great intensity of black berry preserves with plush tannins and oodles of freshness and spices, finishing with an herbal lift. 120 cases produced.

The two reds from this estate are also brilliant. The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon comes all from the estate vineyard on the east side of Howell Mountain and was barrel fermented and aged in 80% new French oak. It has a beautiful nose of black cherries, blackberries, pine forest, and dried flowers. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, balanced, nicely concentrated Cabernet that has loads of fruit, good density, and enough ripe tannins to keep it going strong for 15+ years. These Clark Claudon releases are made by the incredibly talented Jean Hoefliger and come from a vineyard located on the east side of Howell Mountain.

The Clark-Claudon's 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is super expressive and also quite delicious. Dark red cherry, plum, rose petal, mocha and sweet spice infuse this juicy Howell Mountain Cabernet. The tannins could use a few years to soften, but ultimately this is a pretty soft style, especially for a hillside wine.