2016 Realm Cabernet Sauvignon Houyi Vineyard

A very complete wine, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Houyi Vineyard is also the most refined of the Cabernets Realm has made from this site. The 2016 has plenty of power, but also a good deal of nuance, while avoiding the heaviness of some previous editions. Black cherry, gravel, lavender, chocolate, spice and licorice are some of the notes that build as this potent, brooding Cabernet gradually reveals itself. This is such and expressive and inviting wine.

Also 100% Cabernet Sauvignon yet from Pritchard Hill, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Houyi Vineyard offers a massive blast of blue fruits, crushed violets, spice box, and new leather. This beauty comes from a site next to David Arthur and has a ripe, rounded, and incredibly sexy style that belies its mountain terroir. Still, it has plenty of underlying tannins, impeccable balance, and one seriously long finish. Give it a year or so and drink bottles over the following 2-3 decades.

One-hundred percent Cabernet Sauvignon from the Nine Suns property, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Houyi Vineyard Pritchard Hill is very deep purple-black colored with quite an earthy/mineral-laced nose with notions of black soil, cast iron pan, crushed rocks and truffles with a core of black cherries and blackcurrants plus nuances of wild sage, charcuterie and black olives. The palate is full-bodied and very structured in the mouth with firm, grainy tannins and a lively line supporting the taut, earthy flavors, finishing with great length.