2017 Estate Bavarian Lion Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon - Ehret Family Winery

Silky crème de cassis, cool menthol, blackberry preserves. Açaí puree, French vanilla, chocolate lava cake. Decadent blasts of boysenberry pie, black forest cherry, and dark plum highlight a beautifully rich and powerful display densely packed with irresistible dessert-like notes of graham cracker, espresso, and crème brûlée. Hints of cedar, mint, and rolling tobacco contribute a range of clean herbal undercurrents while wafts of rose, violet, and potpourri impart enticingly perfumed floral lift. A dusting of clove, nutmeg, and toast reveals tasteful barrel influence while subtle suggestions of iron and graphite provide mild and pleasant earthy charms. Monumentally dense and concentrated on the palate while remaining exceptionally velvety, polished, and plush; exhibiting a rich, ripe, and robust presentation that is generous and chewy yet still exceptionally well balanced. Full bodied with high tannin supported by elevated acidity. This 2017 Estate Bavarian Lion Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon by Ehret Family Winery is an inky and opulent red from Sonoma's Knights Valley.

Although devastating fires that raged through Napa and Sonoma Counties in October 2017 compromised the vintage for some producers, those who managed to get their fruit harvested before it could be tainted by smoke and ash were still able to create absolutely exceptional wine. This bottling, crafted by Ehret Family Winery using 75% Cab Sauv/17% Cab Franc/8% Petite Verdot sourced from their Knights Valley Estate Vineyards, proves that great wine can still come from challenging vintages. This effortlessly broods with a dense black-fruited core that boasts excellent concentration and depth, and it backs this fruit with minty herbs, light earthiness, and tastefully toasted oak. Though approachable today after just a short decant this is sure to age with grace, and will likely require another 5-10 years to reach its peak. Outstanding.