Place estate fruit from this historically hot vintage in the hands of longtime Waterbrook winemaker John Freeman, and the results from Precept talisman are predictably bewitching. He worked Waterbrook Estate Vineyard as well as Mirage, Blackrock and Summit View, and there’s some deft yet telling blending with Cabernet Franc (8%) and Petit Verdot (2%). The dense nose of macerated Bing cherry, cola, sarsparilla and earthiness leads to a sublime structure that’s big yet silky with dark cherry and currant that brings along a sense of Old World charm of cigar leaf and baking spices. Pair the long finish with a primo that’s quietly carrying long ashes.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 6,414 cases
Alcohol: 14.5%
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