Blackberry reduction, broken pine needle, crushed blueberry. Açaí extract, mulling spices, anise liqueur. Incredibly dense and concentrated vibrations of black forest cherry, crème de cassis, and dark plum highlight an impressively brooding and muscular fruit core decadently complicated by cinnamon, shaved cedar, and potpourri. Notes of smoke, wrought iron, and charcoal pencil vivaciously emerge in a complex and angsty edge while rolling tobacco, muddled mint, and menthol lift and liven with elegant pyrazinic charm. Whirling wafts of violet oil and trampled rose reveal waves of floral perfume that collide with nutmeg, clove, and coriander in a spiced and fragrant display. Concluding hints of baking chocolate and Ethiopian coffee impart regal yet masculine sensations while still leaving room for earthy tones to shine. Unapologetically serious and structured on the palate while remaining integrated and cohesive; exhibiting intense youthful energy and a distinctly age-worthy frame that just barely begins to reveal itself after an extended decant. Full bodied with robust tannin supported by pronounced acidity. This 2017 "Select Barrel Reserve" Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon by Patland Estate Vineyards is a tremendously alluring, powerful, and attention grabbing red from Napa Valley.

Although Napa Cab can be downright delicious in its youth, the greatest examples of this legendary Californian wine often take a decade or more to achieve their most complex and compelling expressions. This bottling, crafted by Patland Estate Vineyards using Cabernet Sauvignon plus a pinch of Malbec and Petite Verdot sourced from the infamous Stagecoach Vineyard, is exactly the kind of illustrious Cabernet that deserves cellar age to fully reveal its greatest self. While initially extraordinarily tightly-wound this wine slowly begins to unfurl after about a 4 hour decant, eventually spilling densely extracted berry fruit embellished with delightfully nuanced spice, earth, and floral tones. This is outstandingly crafted, extremely precise, and likely to achieve near-perfection after an additional 7-10 years of bottle age. Spectacular.