NV Crown Point, Estate Selection Vertical (2014-2016) 3x75cl

Jeb Dunnuck 95/94/97

The 2014 Estate Selection (95 JD) incorporates smaller amounts of Malbec and Merlot and was also aged just over two years in new French oak. Its similarly inky colored, yet has a touch more freshness and purity in its leafy herbs, chocolaty dark fruits, graphite and mineral-laced aromas and flavors. Concentrated, structured and lengthy, with plenty of ripe tannin, it’s terrific today, in a youthful sort of way, but will be better with short term cellaring and keep for two decades. The deep, inky colored 2015 Estate Selection (94 JD) is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% each of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec, and the rest Merlot, aged 26 months in new French oak. This beauty boasts a fabulous bouquet of blackcurrants, melted licorice, cigar wrapper, and tobacco leaf, with more spice and dried flower notes coming through with time in the glass. Deep, rich, full-bodied, and elegant, with beautiful purity as well as ripe tannin, it certainly has the class to drink nicely today, yet will be even better with 2-3 years of bottle age and keep for two decades. Deeply colored, the 2016 Estate Selection (97 JD) checks in as 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec that was brought up 26 months in 75% new French oak. Deeply colored, it has a smoking good bouquet of creme de cassis, smoke tobacco, lead pencil, camphor, and hints of chocolate. This gives way to a powerful, opulent Cabernet Sauvignon that has plenty of sweet tannins, a layered, multi-dimensional texture, no hard edges, and an awesome finish. I d happily put this beauty in a lineup of top Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and blends. [31/10/2019]

Anticipated maturity: 2022-2040

Robert Parker 94/96/97

The 2014 Estate Selection (94 RP) is a blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Malbec and 11% Merlot. The first iteration of this cuvee, it is in a lovely spot for drinking, although it will continue to evolve in bottle for another decade. Deep ruby in color, its blackcurrant and dark plum fruits are beginning to take on mature touches of mushrooms, soy sauce and desiccated roses. The medium-bodied palate is resolved and silky, striking a fine balance of youthful fruit and savory maturity, finishing with great length. A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller portions of Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot, the 2015 Estate Selection (96 RP), from a low-yielding, concentrated vintage, is drinking beautifully now but still has plenty of life ahead. Medium ruby-purple in color, it has pure scents of blackcurrants with touches of violet, cigars and graphite. The full-bodied palate is seamless and detailed, with a flourish of savory accents and fantastic layering and length. The 2016 Estate Selection (97 RP) is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec. Deep ruby-purple, the nose is plush, open and youthful, with savory aromas of blackcurrants, tobacco leaves, olives, dried flowers and cast iron. The palate is silky and seamless, with an extraordinary interplay of savory and floral character. Its refinement, uniqueness and length confirm the outstanding quality of the 2016 vintage, and this promises another two decades of aging potential in the cellar. [15/03/2022]

Anticipated maturity: 2022-2040