Dense blackberry, new cedar, crème de cassis. Succulent dark plum, coffee grounds, blueberry compote. An impressively rich and extracted parade of mulberry preserves, mission fig, and dark cherry swaggers with concentrated and downright captivating depth as hints of eucalyptus leaf, rolling tobacco, and blistered shishito pepper reveal a beautifully well integrated herbal edge. Notes of crushed violet, wild rose, and lavender gently contribute subtle floral lift while cumin, vanilla, coriander, and cinnamon radiate waves of surprisingly exotic spices. Impressions of turned earth and volcanic loam provide a valuable anchor to terroir while suggestions of shaved chocolate and graham cracker pie crust add finishing layers of decadence. Dense, muscular, and broad-shoulder on the palate while somehow remaining perfectly balanced and even elegant; exhibiting unexpected grace and purity within a presentation that is decidedly serious yet still unintimidating. Medium plus in body with robust tannin cut by pleasantly elevated acidity. This 2018 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon by Stringer Cellars is an impressively powerful and expressive red from California.

Napa Valley is widely known to produce some of the world's richest and most modern expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon, and yet some producers still manage to capture classic elegance and balance alongside opulence and amplified concentration. This bottling, crafted by Stringer Cellars using 96% Cabernet Sauvignon/4% Petit Verdot sourced from a few select vineyards around Napa Valley, marvelously presents an extracted yet thoroughly elegant creation using this legendary grape and place. This wine broods with gobs of ripe dark fruits balanced by intriguing herbal notes, pretty floral tones, intriguing spices, and nicely integrated chocolatiness. Although big and bold this manages to remain deliciously fresh and approachable, and will develop gracefully in bottle for many years to come. Outstanding.