Cornerstone

A short noticed get together with @FermentedBeast.

• 2018 Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District 96 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

  Nose: Graceful and pretty aromatics like violets and dark purple flowers. Softly spiced oak with nice undergrowth, all on a clean forest floor. Can’t stress the prettiness of this on the nose. Reminds me of walking right past tall trees, close enough where you can smell the earthy and spiced tree bark.
  
  Palate: So pretty and elegant, fresh red fruits with gently bitter earth from something like a dried forest trail and dark chocolate shavings. Clean wet stones. Great acidity that provides a bit of prickliness.
  
  Blind pull by @FermentedBeast. The lift and elegance of this quite captivating on the first few sips. It was shocking to realize what it was after the reveal; it was nothing like when I first tasted this a couple years back. Gives off a bit of Bordeaux vibes, showing awesome restraint, while keeping that good fruit close to heart.

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• 2021 Kinsman Eades Cabernet Sauvignon Käännös Vine Hill Ranch 98 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Nose: Straight out of the bottle, this was black fruited, rough and rugged spiced oak on the initial whiffs. But she quickly picks herself off of the ground, and dusts herself off, showing us what she's really made of. Dark red fruits, clean and so well put together. Dark flowers and wet earth. Tempting to begin with, and with some air, becomes really inviting.
  
  Palate: Serious, dark red fruits, and while generous, the fruits are very graceful while being so unselfish. Black fruits come to the forefront with some air, hand in hand with dark and clean graphite. Deep earth with clean buried stones. With some air, sexy curves develop on the finish, making you yearn for more.
  
  No decanting was done this time around, unfortunately. But even so, the wine was making strides as time went on, developing more and become so attractive. 98+

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• 2021 Palisades Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon 96 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Nose: Aromatic fresh red fruits, clean tree bark and gentle underbrush. Airy blueberries and restrained red fruits. Light aromas but yet so comforting.
  
  Palate: Deep earth, dark red and black fruits, with a swift and pleasantly bitter minerals on the finish. A nice lift on the palate as well with a pleasant freshness.
  
  This was had last in the last in the tasting. @FermentedBeast Coravin'd a glass for both of us, and eventually pulled the cork. Classy and restrained, while still showing some sexy curves with its clean fruits. This was like a breathe of fresh air.

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Always a good time.