2016 Kelly Fleming Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

"The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is a magnificent wine. Powerful and dense in the glass, the 2016 captures all the personality of this hillside Calistoga site....muscular and deep, yet also incredibly refined. What a gorgeous wine it is." Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media, 97 points 

Vintage Notes

The 2016 growing season was a season of near perfection in the Napa Valley.  After several years of drought conditions, the winter season graced the valley with an abundance of rain, establishing a solid foundation for the vines to lean on throughout the spring and summer.   Budbreak began in mid March, and was followed by a mostly mild spring and summer.  The cool, foggy days of August seemed to moderate the ripening process, allowing flavor, tannin and sugar development to progress at an even pace. 

Tasting Notes

The 2016 Estate Cabernet is a compelling wine - one that offers a bit of mystery and reveals the deep and complex nature of the Kelly Fleming property.   The nose is ripe with dark fruit characters, exuding black cherry, crème de cassis and black mission fig.   Just below the surface, layers of black tea, orange peel, clove, and sandalwood emerge to engage the senses.   The palate pulls no punches – it is concentrated and powerful, dark and serious.  Loads of dark chocolate and black plum flavors, along with hints of olive and spice, add character and charm to the wine’s full-bodied appeal and silky entry.   The tannins are firm yet chiseled, pointing towards even greater integration and evolution over the next 10-20 years.  In all, the 2016 vintage is an exceptional representation of the diverse landscape encompassing our Simmons Canyon estate.