Rich dark cherry, cigar paper, silky dark plum. Black currant preserves, crushed clove, anise liqueur. A delectably deep and dense fruit core brimming with blackberry, chocolate covered strawberry, and blueberry compote booms with extracted yet surprisingly energetic luster within a display that is gorgeously layered with clean herbal notes of cool menthol, spearmint, and cedar. Hints of dried violet and potpourri generously impart notably weighty floral perfume that is playfully enhanced by a pleasant dusting of baking spices including nutmeg and vanilla. Hints of milk chocolate and mocha latte advance irresistible opulence while gentle suggestions of graphite, iron, and smoke contribute an intriguing range of rugged delights. Magnificently muscular, expressive, and powerful on the palate while still remaining thoroughly complex and elegant; exhibiting a full throttle yet fresh presentation that is unabashedly broad-shouldered while remaining exceptionally well balanced. Full bodied and packed full of grippy pixelated tannin supported by nicely elevated acidity. This 2017 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon by Moran Manor is a concentrated and captivating red from Sonoma.

Located along the eastern edge of Sonoma County just west of Napa Valley and the town of Calistoga, Knights Valley is Sonoma's warmest and most inland winegrowing appellation which has helped it become world famous as the source of some of the county's greatest Cabernet Sauvignon. This bottling, crafted by Moran Manor using Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from their estate vineyard in Knights Valley, is an exciting example of the richness and depth that Cab from this region can possess. This broods with a powerful yet elegant dark-fruited profile presented alongside minty herbal notes, chocolaty coffee hints, pretty baking spices, bold florals, and pleasant smokiness. It opens up and unfurls significantly with air and will show at its best with at least a moderate decant, yet aging this for an additional 5-10 years or more is an even better idea to allow for its most complex tertiary flavors to emerge. Outstanding.