Vintage Notes

“A cold wet winter, with above average rainfall of 48 inches, refreshed the soil during dormancy. These cooler temperatures slowed the start of the growing season pushing bloom 21 days later than estate average, allowing a healthy fruit set to prevail well away from colder spring weather. May rains increased berry size and gave a slightly larger crop averaging 2.6 tones per acre. The season warmed gradually and persistently advancing veraison through August making for a slightly warmer vintage overall. September cooled again extending time on the vine for the last leg of ripening. This pushed the start of harvest 19 days later than estate average starting October 8th and concluding on October 25th.”

Tasting Notes

“2019 Continuum showcases the highest percentage of Cabernet Franc to date- revealing the volcanic site and native attributes of Sage Mountain Vineyard. A lively and expressive nose with lifted red fruit, hibiscus and delicate floral notes. The plush entry on the palate reveals concentrated dark fruit, and youthful black mulberry interweaving with layers of savory wild herb, exotic spice and graphite. The 2019 Continuum’s mountain fruit expression is enveloped by a supple and silky texture with velvety fine tannins and ferrous minerality. Pleasing all the way though2019 Continuum is an elevated and lush dance of power and grace on the palate.”

99 Points James Suckling – “Blackberries, dark wet soil and blackcurrants. Graphite, too. So aromatic. Pure fruit. Full-bodied with superbly polished, fine tannins that draw you down through the center of palate. Extremely layered and the texture is so curated, giving wonderful persistence. Real plushness and fine, velvety texture. 50% cabernet sauvignon, 37% cabernet franc, 7% petit verdot and 6% merlot. Better after 2026.”

98 Points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate – “Continuum’s 2019 Proprietary Red is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot and 6% Merlot, all from the estate vineyard on Pritchard Hill. Aged in two-thirds new French oak, with the balance in second or third-use barrels and a single concrete amphora, it’s remarkably dark in hue, a deep, saturated purple in the glass. On the nose, it’s floral and herbal yet fruit-driven, with violets, sage and bay leaf adding nuance to black cherries, while the palate is full-bodied, plush and silky. There’s an enticing yin-yang to the interplay between high-toned herbals and bass notes of dark chocolate in this dense, concentrated effort that finishes lush and long. It’s a magnificent wine that should drink well for at least two decades.”

97 Points Jeb Dunnuck – “Coming all from the Sage Mountain Vineyard on Pritchard Hill, the 2019 Proprietary Red Wine is a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Cabernet Franc, 9% Petit Verdot and 6% Merlot. This is classic 2018 with its dense, concentrated, slightly backward, yet full-bodied and incredibly impressive style. Offering lots of ripe black (black cherry, currant) fruits, scorched earth, graphite, and chocolate-like aromatics, it has terrific concentration, ripe, building tannins, a terrific sense of freshness, and a great finish. It’s going to need 5-7 years of bottle age but will have upwards of three decades of overall longevity.”