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Cabernet Sauvignon · Oakville
98 points from Robert Parker, and only 350 cases made.
“The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a relatively gravelly site compared to other parts of the To Kalon vineyard. Most of the fruit comes from vines aged 45 to 65 years old, with a little fruit coming from the younger section of 20-year-old vines. It was made with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and no press wines were used, in order to maintain tannin quality. Deep garnet-purple colored, it comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant black cherries, warm cassis, blueberry compote and chocolate box notes with touches of aged meat, yeast extract, chargrill and sautéed herbs with hints of pain grille and pencil lead. Full-bodied, the palate is an exercise in poise, with beautifully balanced, crushed black fruits and firm, very finely grained tannins plus a lovely backbone of seamless freshness, finishing epically long and savory with a slight mineral kick to the finish.”
“I am every bit as enthusiastic about MacDonald's 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon today as I was last year, when I tasted it from barrel. So many 2016s are silky and open-knit, but the 2016 here is unusually tightly wound and reticent. Gravel, crème de cassis, bittersweet chocolate, spice, lavender and menthol develop in the glass over time. The 2016 does not have a lot of the charm of so many wines, but that is probably a good thing for its long-term prospects. Today, the 2016 reminds me most of the 2014 because of its mid-weight structure and sinewy tannins. Time in the glass brings out a more red-toned and floral profile, but the 2016 is not going to be anywhere ready to drink for a number of years. The only question is how many. Readers who can find the 2016 should not hesitate, as it is superb.”
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MacDonald Vineyards
2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, OakvilleMacDonald To-Kalon Cabernet MacDonald is a collaboration between brothers Alex and Graeme MacDonald. And though the label is new, their debut vintage was a 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon & their family roots in Napa go back to 1954. That was the year their great-grandparents bought a modest retirement property in Oakville that came with a vineyard called To-Kalon. After replanting the vineyard, the couple started selling grapes to Robert Mondavi, who used them first for his family's Charles Krug wines, then for his own Robert Mondavi label.
Today To-Kalon is considered one of the most outstanding terroirs in Napa Valley, and many of Napa's most prestigious wines used grapes sourced from To-Kalon. The first vintages of MacDonald received highly complimentary reviews. Vinous wrote this about the 2010: in this vintage, the first commercial release, brothers Alex and Graeme MacDonald made a wine that has no problem sitting alongside Napa Valley's long established stars. This is a fabulous showing.
One bottle, 750 ml, of the 2016 vintage.
Local pickup is by appointment only. If you choose pickup at checkout, please email leo@cultwine.com to schedule your pickup.
MacDonald Vineyards.
Yes. You must be 21 years of age or older to purchase.
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