2018 Kongsgaard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

A barrel sample, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon features a deep garnet-purple, singing on the nose of freshly crushed black cherries, black berry pie and warm plums over a core of cassis and pencil lead plus nuances of violets, cinnamon stick and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-coating, crunchy black fruit with a firm backbone of ripe, grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and spicy.

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is bold, pungent and savory. Black olives, grilled herbs, blackberry jam, cloves, iron and leather as well as intense barbeque smoke give the broad 2018 a wild, really exotic character. If I had tasted it blind, I would have pegged it as Syrah. The is an undeniably wild and unusual wine; I am not really sure what to make of it at this stage. It is also a rare vintage that is pure 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.