I can’t say enough how much I love the 2018 vintage and this wine - an absolutely stunning year and a vintage that shows a winemaker how great wines can really be. I tasted this new Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon over a week and it kept getting better and changing in complexity. One true challenge is creating a wine that will age for decades but will also drink well on release. I think 2018 accomplished that to perfection. Crème de cassis, black currant, blackberry, wafts of dried cranberry, a hint of wet gravel after a fresh rain, and pencil shavings. The richness of this wine is a love affair- chewy tannins and a long, long finish is something that I truly gravitate towards in wines that I enjoy on a personal level and it is on high display here. Everything is in balance. Enjoy this wine now through 2043.

This new vintage was one where blending trials became a true artistic challenge as numerous lots were eligible to make it into the new Estate Reserve. A consistent goal that we have diligently stuck by is to craft elegant wines that we truly enjoy ourselves, so as to make a real connection with our loyal customers. However, “elegance” doesn’t have to mean lacking of tannin as often assumed in new world wines. One of our favorite wines of the world, Barolo, always comes to mind as a perfect example of this as it’s amazing to experience the beautiful elegance some of the great producers there showcase in spite of the large tannins.