2017 “Hillside Reserve” Bavarian Lion Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon - Ehret Family Winery

A monumentally rich and opulent display laden with silky crème de cassis, blackberry preserves, blueberry reduction, and chocolate covered açaí booms with attention-grabbing density and decadence as suggestions of coffee grounds, caramel, tobacco, and toast contribute a captivating range of roasted qualities. Flutters of rose, crushed violet, and potpourri gracefully bolster aromatics with intriguing floral perfume that wafts alongside gorgeous herbal tones of eucalyptus, sage, anise, and menthol. Spiced notes of cinnamon and French vanilla tastefully reveal premium oak treatment while hints of wrought iron and volcanic earth impart understated reflections of terroir. Massively concentrated, bold, and broad-shouldered on the palate while remaining brilliantly balanced and velvety in texture; exhibiting a powerful yet highly polished presentation that boasts serious extraction with a soft and supple touch. Full bodied with gobs of chewy tannin kept fresh by bright acidity. This 2017 "Hillside Reserve" Bavarian Lion Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon by Ehret Family Winery is a complex and luxurious red from Sonoma's Knights Valley. 

Although plenty of great Cabernet Sauvignon is made from vineyards planted along the valley floors of Napa and Sonoma, the greatest expressions of this legendary grape most often come from perfectly located hillside vineyards. This bottling, crafted by Ehret Family Winery using Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from hillside blocks of their estate Bavarian Lion Vineyards, is a perfect example of the incredible heights that hillside Cabernet can achieve. This generously gushes with a range of dense and dark berry fruits enhanced by complex coffee tones, gorgeous floral notes, clean herbs, balanced barrel spices, and a pinch of earthiness. While downright delicious today after a decent decant this is a brawny wine that could use at least 5-10 years in the cellar to develop, and should continue to drink well for decades. Wow.