With Hart, Eric, Jess, Tiara and Bradian.

Wine from E&J.

I’m gonna accidentally butcher the story, but here’s it in 2 parts: – the 2016 was apparently the last vintage before the vineyard/area/something got hit by the Cali fires. I’m not sure what happened to the vineyards/winemakers after – Eric lugged the bottle all the way from Cali

In the glass: deep rich dark ruby, with a more distinct and bright garnet at the rim. High extraction that stains the glass.

On the palate: this is Napa as Napa gets, but more interesting. As usual, pure sweet blackcurrant with that waft of sweet vanilla, aromatic oak. There was a certain, idk, tinge of earthy savoriness, and almost like English breakfast tea. But these were very faint.

On the palate: high intensity of fruits. Mid acidity. Palate coating. A very very distinct saline savory finish. Long finish. And then… woof that alcohol hit. That warmth flooding my nasal passage. Checked the bottle and it was an insane 16.1%. That said, it was a well integrated 16.1%.

For a BIG muscular Cali cab, this thankfully exercised a lot of restraint when it came to the oaking. But man that alcohol was massive.