Blend: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc
95 Points from James Suckling
Very aromatic with blueberries and blackcurrants, as well as red licorice. Floral, too. Medium-to full-bodied, firm and lightly chewy. Lovely depth of fruit here. Rich and flavorful. Extremely well done for the vintage. Shows more finesse and tightness than 2016. Very classic. One-third of the production. Try it. Drink after 2022, but already delicious.
92 Points from Wine Spectator
Offers a chunky feel, featuring a mix of dark plum and black currant fruit, with singed mesquite, dried bay leaf, sage and licorice root notes. Shows youthful rambunctiousness, balanced by good underlying structure and ample fruit. Should resolve easily with cellaring. Best from 2022 through 2034.
91 Points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This 2017 is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot, 6% Malbec and 1% Cabernet Franc, with most of the fruit coming from Phelp’s St Helena vineyard this year. “But,” winemaker Ashley Hepworth told me, “we declassified a lot of wine - sold a lot on the bulk market. We had some tough blending decisions.” Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon sashays out of the glass with open-knit, alluring baked plums, stewed cherries, mulberries and warm cassis with hints of spice cake, cracked pepper and tobacco leaf. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers a great intensity of black berry and exotic spice layers, framed by soft tannins and lively freshness, finishing with impressive length.
90 Points from Jeb Dunnuck
The only wine here that has a touch of grower fruit, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley saw a two-thirds reduction in production due to declassifying due to smoke taint. It has a classic Cabernet nose of blackcurrants, scorched earth, tobacco, and lead pencil as well as a medium-bodied, supple, elegant, pretty style on the palate. Drink it over the coming 10-15 years.
Winemaker Notes
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon has expressive aromatics of blueberry, boysenberry, baking spices and cardamom. A fresh and inviting wine with unfolding layers of raspberry, red cherry, nutmeg, cedar and graphite with a medium-full body, seamless integrated tannins and a lengthy finish.
Sustainable
"Our regard for the environment means that our vineyards in Napa Valley and Sonoma Coast are farmed under sustainable guidelines designed to protect the health of the soils, the vines, and the plants and wildlife with which we share our land. Our vineyards have earned certification under the Napa Green and/or Fish Friendly Farming programs."