2016 Groth Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
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Tasting notes
Tasted from a bottle purchased in New York and coming all from a selection of the estate vineyard, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is all Cabernet Sauvignon and spent 22 months in new French oak. It has a beautiful, slightly herbal bouquet of crème de cassis, lead pencil, damp earth, and tobacco that develops nicely with time in the glass. Playing in the medium-bodied end of the spectrum, it stays reserved and nicely focused on the palate and has impressive purity of fruit, fine tannins, and a good finish. It’s not for those craving sheer opulence and richness, but it has a classic elegance about it that grows on you. It will drink nicely for 15 years or more.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve emerges from two blocks on the western edge of the property where gravelly, alluvial soils naturally produce low yields in the vineyard. Black cherry, menthol, lavender, spice and dried flowers all develop enticingly in the glass. Bright and focused with plenty of supporting structure, the 2016 is extremely expressive, even in the early going. I would give it a few years in bottle to soften.
Tasted just prior to bottling, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is shaping up beautifully. Licorice, smoke, menthol, sage and lavender add layers of complexity to this very pretty, understated Cabernet. The 2016 has quite a bit of power and resonance that will emerge post-bottling, and yet the style is very much built on a mid-weight, classic sense of structure. Above all else, I admire the balance Director of Winemaking Cameron Parry was able to achieve. I can't wait to taste this from bottle.
Deep garnet-black in color, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve has a nose of tar, earth and leather over a core of cassis and redcurrants plus pepper hints. The palate is medium-bodied, lean, chewy and a bit simple with a short finish.