Tasting some of the Big-Reds from the 2016 Vintage

Description

Champagne Toast!

Tensley 2016 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard
Santa Barbara County California
Jeb Dunnuck 97 Rating
From the estate vineyard located high up in the hills above Los Olivos, the 2016 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard has an exotic, beautifully pure bouquet of blueberries, wild strawberries, crushed violets, menthol, and cracked pepper. One of the more pure, elegant and ethereal examples of this Syrah I can recall, it’s a sensational, incredibly compelling, weightless beauty that does everything right. It too can shine today yet has the capacity to age gracefully for 10-15 years.

Stonestreet 2016 Rockfall Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Alexander Valley California
Jeb Dunnuck 98+ Rating
Another gem that’s going to flirt with perfection in a decade is the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Rockfall Vineyard. Based on 100% Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon aged 20 months in 65% new French oak, its deep purple color is followed by a mammoth-sized bouquet of crème de cassis, lead pencil shavings, scorched earth, and graphite. Showing more spice and tobacco with time in the glass, it has incredible purity of fruit, building tannins, and flawless balance, all making for a majestic Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon that will keep for 30 years or more.

Cantina Terlano-Kellerei Terlan 2016 Porphyr Lagrein Riserva
Trentino-Alto Adige Italy
James Suckling 96 Rating
You rarely, if ever, see this level of complexity in a lagrein, which goes headlong through bracken, tea leaves, vanilla, blackberries, undergrowth, heather and violet extract. Full-bodied and very structured indeed, the chewy tannins envelop layers of compact yet exuberant dark fruit. Elements of undergrowth and spice linger on the long finish. Stunning. Delicious now, but better in 2022.

Castello di Volpaia 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva
Tuscany Italy
Wine Spectator 97 Rating
Enticing aromas of black cherry, black currant and violet are allied to flavors of iron, wet earth and spice in this red, which is loaded with fruit, vibrant acidity and well-mannered tannins. Shows terrific harmony now, yet possesses the structure to age. The long, mouthwatering finish extends the dark fruit and mineral elements. Best from 2021 through 2040.

Krutz Family 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard
Napa Valley California
Wine Advocate 97 Rating
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in French oak for 23 months, 75% new. Deep garnet-purple in color, it springs from the glass with exuberant notions of warm cassis, Black Forest cake, plum preserves and blueberry compote with fragrant wafts of violets, menthol and chocolate box. Full-bodied and decadently fruited, with a wonderfully plush texture, it has bags of spicy black fruit flavors and a very long finish. Only 300 cases were made.

Argiano 2016 Brunello di Montalcino
Tuscany Italy
James Suckling 97 Rating
A very polished red with cloves and caramel, on top of black cherries, mushrooms and forest floor. Black olives, too. It’s full-bodied with polished tannins and lovely depth all the way through. Lightly chewy. Juicy black-cherries and savory black-olive character. Complex. Drink after 2025.