| | CRISTAL2000 hooked up this awesome tasting experience at A&B. Great wines, in a great setting, with great company. Thanks CRISTAL2000 for always coming through. A perfect primer before the Tusk party debauchery later on in the evening! - 2017 Arrow & Branch Sauvignon Blanc Heritage Reserve - USA, California, Napa Valley
A beautiful burst of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, subtle grass, and white stone rush on to the palate with verve and spunk, but with a smooth sophistication that shows class and complexity. A really nice punch of flavor cascades mid-way through, picking up even more speed on the lemon zest and grapefruit juice back end; finishes strong and grippy, with a faint chalk note intertwining with the core fruit. Nothing bitter or biting here, but not overly round or over-treated either, so as to not potentially risk losing the signature expressions of the varietal.
Up there with some of the best Sauvignon Blancs coming out of Napa and Sonoma. 96-97 points. Store at refrigeration temperature and allow to warm just slightly in the glass before service. Drink now. (97 pts.)
- 2016 Arrow & Branch Cabernet Sauvignon Black Label - USA, California, Napa Valley
Red current, black cherry, and some spice box lead the classy execution of this medium-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon. Subtle cedar and plum skin notes carry themselves throughout the attack as well. A finessed delivery, finishing with a light bite that grips the back end. A fleeting menthol/eucalyptus note makes a brief appearance on the tail. Hold for 3+ years to allow the Black Label to fill out a bit more and gain some girth. 93+ points, with upside in a few years. (93 pts.)
- 2016 Arrow & Branch Right Bank Blend - USA, California, Napa Valley
The "Right Bank Bordeaux" red blend is the star of the 2016 A&B lineup. A Cabernet Franc dominant (50%) animal, with a 24%/24% additional split of Cabernet Sauvignon, with 2% Petit Verdot. Tasted directly next to the 2016 A&B 100% Cabernet Franc, I found this blend to be a more complete wine by comparison. The other components added the requisite scaffolding to house the floral-fruity CF core, making for a more serious (and for me, more compelling) profile overall. Power-meets-elegance to truly heightened form.
Black fruited (much more so than the Black Label), with a nice violet/floral lift to juxtapose the foresty/earthy blackberry and black cherry notes. A good deal of complexity overall here. 96-97+ points. Drink now with a healthy decant, or better yet hold for another 3+ years. (97 pts.)
- 2016 Arrow & Branch Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena
Black cherry liqueur, smooth cedar, wet mulch, and some black rock. Classy, finessed, and super sophisticated, the execution here is medium and agreeable, with no hard edges to be found. A faint breath of alcohol appears on the back, pulling the fruit slightly away from the palate on the finish.
A much improved showing from when I last had this in June. Time is always a friend to this wine under the A&B label. Ideally, hold for 4-5+ years. 95-96+ points. (96 pts.)
- 2015 Arrow & Branch Cabernet Franc Heritage Reserve Arrow & Branch Coombsville - USA, California, Napa Valley, Coombsville
More plush and fruity when compared to the 2016 CF Heritage served alongside it, the 2015 impresses for its opulent red berry fruit and floral flavor. Round and plush red raspberry, red and black cherry, and violets. A little cedar lingers on the finish. Fruitier and redder than the 2016, which had a bit more serious grip. 94+ points for the 2015. Drink now and over the next 7-10 years. (94 pts.)
- 2016 Arrow & Branch Cabernet Franc Heritage Reserve Arrow & Branch Coombsville - USA, California, Napa Valley, Coombsville
More serious and firm that the 2015 CF Heritage served beside it, this 2016 has more dark power and grip than its older brother. Black fruit and some burnt embers make up the primary core, with small hits of red fruit and minerality. Less floral notes here. There is a linearity that is all about youthful formidability, but it provides a perfect cut for the darker fruit that just can't wait to push out.
Unlike the 2015, which is from older vines, the 2016 has some younger vine inclusion...and it shows. Personally, I preferred the 2016 slightly and appreciated the extra vibrancy and push. Finishes with black fruit intermixed with black and green peppercorn notes. Hold for another 3-5+ years. 96+ points. (96 pts.)
- 2012 Arrow & Branch Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena
Dark, earthy red and black berry fruit, soft mulch and cedar, forest floor, and rained-on campfire embers. A pretty sweet kiss of red raspberry fruit on the back end provides lift to otherwise more earthy and brooding, cedar-driven black and red cherry fruit. Medium and a bit soft, but with enough tension to keep it on track. Drink now and over the next 5+ years. (95 pts.)
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