2014 Crown Point Estate Selection

Deep, rich, savory and rather earthy, this concentrated Central Coast red combines ripe blackberries and mulberries with generous, plush tannins and a bold, long finish. Just beginning to open up and probably has many years of life ahead of it. Drink or hold.

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Selection incorporates a good bit of Malbec and Merlot. It is also made in a riper, denser style, with a heavier toast/torrefaction component and higher ripeness as well. At times, the alcohol and new oak are on the edge. This is in an especially seamless, powerful style.

The 2014 Estate Selection incorporates smaller amounts of Malbec and Merlot and was also aged just over two years in new French oak. Its similarly inky colored, yet has a touch more freshness and purity in its leafy herbs, chocolaty dark fruits, graphite and mineral-laced aromas and flavors. Concentrated, structured and lengthy, with plenty of ripe tannin, it's terrific today, in a youthful sort of way, but will be better with short term cellaring and keep for two decades. Owned by Roger Bower and located in the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA, Crown Point is another new estate focusing on Bordeaux varieties and blends. The wines are made by Adam Henkel (previously at Harlan Estate in Napa Valley) with consulting advice from Bordeaux native, Philippe Melka. The estate covers 104 acres, with 50 planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Everything is estate grown, hand sorted, moved by gravity, fermented in concrete and French oak, and aged in new barrels. In short, there’s no expense spared here, and I’m sure the best is to come.