2015 Salt Vine Cabernet Sauvignon- USA, California, Napa Valley, Calistoga (5/16/2020)
This is a special side project from brilliant winemaker Mike Smith of Myriad fame. The bottle was the remaining two-thirds from a Coravined bottle 23 days prior. When the cork popped dense, dark-fruit flavors burst out of the bottle signalling something special. The spectacular, rich notes of woodsy blackberry on the nose remained fragrant 90 minutes later when I poured the fulsome, inky juice into the first glass. On the palate this full-bodied wine sings of violets and black cherry with a earthiness that lingers lovingly into the long finish. At 3 hours the wine resolves into a smooth delicious joy. So much of this wine at every stage has a wonderful “dark” quality that reveals a wine with purpose. An absolutely brilliant undertaking worthy of Mike’s reputation. (96 pts.)
