The 2018 Red Wine is a total knock-out. Inky, dark and sumptuous, the 2018 is full character. All the elements come together in a Merlot/Cabernet Franc-based wine that dazzles from start to finish. A whole range of dark, savory overtones from the Cabernets grown on hillside vineyards adds layers of nuance to the pliant Merlot and Malbec fruit. Vineyard sites are Yverdon and Wuertel, both on Spring Mountain, Mt. Brave on Mount Veeder and Keyes on Howell Mountain. Winemaker Chris Carpenter certainly got the most out of what he chose to work with. The 2018 is just fabulous. (AG) 97+

The first vintage for this new cuvée, the 2018 Proprietary Red Blend checks in as 41% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Malbec and Petit Verdot. Red and blue fruits, scorched earth, spring flowers, and violets emerge from this medium to full-bodied 2018, which is reminiscent of a top Saint-Emilion given its terrific sense of minerality. Medium to full-bodied and just brilliantly put together on the palate, it shows the purity of fruit that is the hallmark of this great vintage. Enjoy bottles any time over the coming 15-20 years. 96+

A new wine under the Caladan label, the 2018 Red Blend is composed of 41% Merlot, 25.5% Cabernet Franc, 25.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot. It was aged for 22 months in oak, 70% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose delivers beautiful fragrant notes of black cherries, red roses, chocolate box, licorice and boysenberries with stewed plums and eucalyptus at the core. Medium to full-bodied, the rich, plushly textured palate is nicely balanced by a lively backbone, finishing long with baking spices notes coming through. 470 cases were made. (LPB) 95+