“The 2018 growing season was even and mild – a delightful respite and contrast to the extremes of 2017. A generally dry winter gave way to a wet early spring that fully charged the soil profile with generous and well-timed rains. Ideal conditions during the flowering period allowed for a great set made for an abundant potential crop. The crop load was remarkable not because the number of clusters or the size of the berries, but for the sheer number of berries on each cluster. A generally temperate and languid summer led to the latest start to a harvest in my tenure here and allowed for an extended hangtime that allowed the fruit to ripen slowly and mature the fruit at lower levels of sugar and higher levels of acid resulting in fresh and expressive wines.
The silky and detailed 2018 Staglin Cabernet is a poised and elegant classic that impresses with its old-world charms and modern-day precision. Initial notes of herb laden cassis and cedary plums evolve into layers of lavender infused raspberry liqueur and menthol lifted cherry compote spiced by green peppercorns, ground coffee and a dusting Piment d’Espelette. The beautiful weight, delicate concentration and powder fine-grained structure delivers a wonderfully graceful and balanced palate experience that is a sheer classy delight.”