WINERY REFLECTIONS

Black currant extract, tobacco leaf, plump dark cherry. Damson plum, baking chocolate, black licorice. An expressive yet thoroughly elegant procession of tart blackberry, crème de cassis, and açaí shines with both impressive richness and restraint as gorgeous herbal tones of cedar, eucalyptus, and bay intricately complicate the deep and dazzling display. Hints of cinnamon, vanilla, and clove gently emerge to provide lift in the form of clean baking spices that are further enhanced by rose petal, potpourri, and ever-so-delicate floral perfume. Notes of mocha, graham cracker, and smoke round out the attack with just a bit of integrated opulence but not before impressions of iron and loamy earth reveal a firm anchoring to terroir. Notably muscular and serious on the palate while somehow remaining perfectly poised, pretty, and graceful; exhibiting classic structure, understated concentration, and old school sensibility within a package that is flawlessly balanced and undoubtedly world class. Medium plus in body with pronounced yet approachable tannin carried by elevated acidity. This 2017 "Three D" Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon by Salvestrin Winery is a brilliantly authentic and age-worthy red from Napa Valley.

While the last few decades have seen levels of ripeness and extraction increase dramatically throughout wine regions all over the world, there are still a number of balance-oriented producers making wines that prioritize elegance and restraint over sheer density and power. This bottling, crafted by Salvestrin Winery using Cab Sauv sourced from their estate Dr. Crane Vineyard in St. Helena, marvelously captures the perfect marriage of ripeness and restraint framed through the lens of one of California's greatest terroirs. This elegantly exudes a range of delicate yet concentrated dark fruits beautifully interlaced with clean herbal notes, integrated coffee and chocolate tones, light floral charm, balanced earthiness, and a kiss of oak. This was shaped using a painstaking process of barrel selection and certainly reflects the impressive pedigree from whence it came. Outstanding.