2018 Saint Helena Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Sympa
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Tasting notes
Slightly reductive right on opening, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Sympa slowly gives up more pure black fruits, damp earth, chocolate, and spicy oak with time in the glass. These carry to a beautifully textured, full-bodied Cabernet with ripe, polished tannins, a wonderful sense of balance, and a great finish. It's going to benefit from short-term bottle age yet should evolve for 15-20 years given its concentration, depth, and balance. It's a rock-solid 2018.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Sympa is gorgeous. Inky dark fruit, licorice, lavender, spice and chocolate give this juicy Cabernet its exuberant, forward personality. Soft, pliant and succulent, the Sympa is an excellent choice for drinking now and over the next decade or so. This flashy, open-knit Cabernet is sure to find many fans. It is the most luscious of the 2018s.
Composed of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Sympa is deep garnet-purple in color, charging out of the gate with bold black cherries, mulberries and warm cassis scents, plus nuances of cinnamon stick, cloves and menthol. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has wonderfully plush tannins and bags of juicy black fruit flavors, finishing with an invigorating lift. 500 cases were made.
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Sympa is a bold, juicy wine that will drink well right out of the gate. Succulent dark cherry, red plum, cinnamon and floral notes all race out of the glass in a pliant, open-knit Cabernet.