Understated and finessed, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain opens in the glass with dried black cherries accentuated by dusty dried flowers and crushed rocks. It's silky and cool-toned in feel with a pleasant inner sweetness and juicy acidity to balance. This leaves sweet baking spices and licorice nuances to linger through the long and lightly structured finale. The 2018 aims to please yet does so in a wonderfully balanced way.

Tightly focused and rather broad-shouldered, with dense blackberry, bitter chocolate and savory spice flavors that build tension toward firm tannins. Hands off for now. Best from 2024 through 2030. 3,500 cases made.

The aromas bring notes of struck match, powdered chocolate, butterscotch hard candy and cherry. The cherry flavors are plump and center focused. It finishes oddly tart, with abundant barrel notes.