Wine Reviews
A powerful, tight and condensed wine with toast and mineral aromas, then dark and deep flavors of blackberries, blueberries, cocoa, espresso, flint and tobacco. Full-bodied and bold but not overdone, keeping freshness and lift on the palate. Made from a rocky, long-established vineyard. Drinkable now and best from 2033.
A serious, age-worthy Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Tonella Estate Vineyard comes from the Tonella Vineyard on the eastern bench of the appellation and was aged 22 months in 100% new French oak. Its deep purple hue is followed by a sensational perfume of creme de cassis, classy oak, graphite, and lead pencil, with some textbook Rutherford darker chocolate nuances emerging as it sits in the glass. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has a pure, focused, layered mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. Nothing is out of place, it has the purity and class of the vintage, and there are roughly 600 cases produced. It will have 20 years of overall prime drinking. Drink 2026-2046.
The 2021 Tonella Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, with 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc in the blend, is deep garnet-purple in color. It is a little broody to start, revealing subtle tar and charcoal notes over a cassis and black raspberry core before opening out to an undercurrent of fresh blackberries and lilacs. The full-bodied palate is fragrant and impactful, with firm, fine-grained tannins and well-knit freshness, finishing long and perfumed.
The 2022 Tonella Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is composed of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it opens with classic cassis and pencil lead notes, leading to an undercurrent of plum preserves, bay leaves, menthol, and tar. Full-bodied, the palate is chock-full of rich black fruit layers with savory accents, supported by firm, grainy tannins and bags of freshness, finishing with a minty kick.
The 2023 Tonella Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep garnet-purple colored, it strides confidently out of the glass with classic cassis, baked plums, and pencil lead notes, followed by hints of dried herbs and coffee beans. The full-bodied palate delivers a firm, grainy texture and seamless freshness to support the taut black fruit, finishing long and ferrous.
