2012 Colgin, Cariad, Napa Valley 1x750ml

Robert Parker 98

A close second (and who knows how they might perform at different times and with different foods) is the 2012 Cariad Proprietary Red Wine, made from grapes grown by David Abreu at his estate vineyards in Napa. This blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 9% Petit Verdot shows notes of burning embers/charcoal, blackberry fruit, licorice and floral notes, followed by a full-bodied, dense, layered wine. It has great purity, wonderfully sweet, integrated tannin, and a voluptuous mouthfeel and finish of close to 50+ seconds. This is a stunner that can be drunk now or cellared for another 25-30 years. [Robert M. Parker, Jr., 28/10/2015]

Anticipated maturity: 2015-2045

Vinous 97

A dark, vibrant wine, the 2012 Cariad races out of the glass with serious intensity. The Cariad has a bit more acid and tannin backbone than the Tychson Hill, which gives the flavors a bit more energy and overall brightness to balance the opulence of the fruit. Graphite, spice and menthol notes flesh out on the finish. Cariad is sourced mostly from David Abreu’s Madrona Ranch, with a dollop of fruit from Thorevilos. Historically, Cariad has aged exceptionally well, something that was driven home yet again by the 2002 I tasted on this visit. [Antonio Galloni, 12/01/2014]

Anticipated maturity: 2017-2027