2018 Frog's Leap Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Estate

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Williams Rossi Vineyard is 100% Cabernet and barrel fermented in new French oak, yet it reveals little overtly oaky character, offering up classic hints of mint and cassis, black cherries and dusty earth. It's medium-bodied, streamlined and silky in feel, finishing long and gently dusty yet mouthwatering and fresh. It should age magnificently, and if I'm a bit stingy in my rating, readers who take the gamble will likely be rewarded in the long run.

Coming all from Rutherford and all varietal, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Williams Rossi offers up a vivid purple hue as well as notes of darker currants, green herbs, graphite, and spicy wood. With an almost cool climate-like vibe aromatically, it's medium-bodied on the palate and has the vintage’s more straightforward style, ripe tannins, and a good finish.

Fresh cabernet character here, with blackberries, wild herbs, cassis and violets that extend to the medium-bodied palate, showing tart fruit, dried herbs and chewy tannins. A rare, succulent Napa cab here, though with a fresh crunch of acidity and some sharpness. I like the brightness, despite the herbal character. Drink now.