The Terroirist
Wine Reviews: American Wines for the Fourth of July
2016 Castiel Estate Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
Medium purple color. Gorgeous depth on the nose, with tart black currants and wild berries. Inviting cigar box, violets, clove, old library shelves (in a really pleasant way), with nuanced cedar and dark chocolate shavings. Bold structure but moderate acidity, with a vibrant core of blueberry and black currants. Complex notes of violets, pine tar, all sorts of oregano and sage. Wow, this is exceptionally suave, deep but fresh, beautiful concentration and balance – this will reward the patient in the cellar. All Cabernet aged 18 months in 70% new French oak. (95 points IJB)