2013 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Panek Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Panek Vineyard comes from a five-acre, valley-floor vineyard just north of St. Helena near Vineyard 29's Aida. There are 450 cases of this magnificent Cabernet Sauvignon. Notes of Mediterranean herbs intermixed with licorice, blackberry and cassis jump from the glass of this opaque purple wine. Stunningly proportioned, full-bodied, super-intense, with great purity, structure and depth, this wine will benefit from 4-5 years of cellaring and keep for three decades.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Panek Vineyard, from a site on the valley floor, shows all the voluptuousness and raciness that is typical of this sector in the northern reaches of St. Helena. Dark red cherry, plum, pomegranate and spice blossom as this full-bodied, racy Cabernet shows off its personality. There is just enough acidity to give the aromatics enough lift to balance the super-ripe fruit. As always, the Panek is a very showy wine.
Seamless and polished to the core, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Panek Vineyard is once again the ripest and most voluptuous of the Rivers-Marie Cabernets. It is also one of the more open 2013s I tasted, suggesting it will need little cellaring before it starts to drink well. In 2013, the flavor profile is on the darker side of things, with plenty of cassis, blueberry jam and spices, but there is also good underlying energy and vibrancy. There is a lot to like, that much is obvious.