PlumpJack Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
- v95
- jd94+
Category | Red Wine |
Varietals | |
Brand | PlumpJack |
Origin | California, Napa Valley, Oakville |
Alcohol/vol | 15.2% |
Wine Advocate 94 "Composed of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Malbec, and 5% Petit Verdot, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate displays deep garnet-purple color, and fragrant notes of Black Forest cake, crème de cassis and wild blueberries with nuances of red roses, Chinese five spice, camphor, and black olive plus a hint of charcoal. Full-bodied, the decadently rich fruit has impressive freshness lifting the palate along with firm, finely grained tannins, finishing long and fragrant."
The cooler vintage allows more of the red fruits to shine in the 2018 PlumpJack Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. The nose shows aromas of ripe cherry and raspberry, rose petal, anise, and a touch of blueberry and blackberry underneath. The barrels add layers of vanilla, toffee, nutmeg, cardamom, and cedar. These flavors also come through on the palate, which is silky upon entry with a mouth-filling mid-palate, and showcases big and bold, yet fine and velvety, tannins throughout. The finish lingers for an eternity and eventually leaves you with the impression of baker's chocolate and espresso.
Vinous
- v95
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is a powerful, dense wine. Inky black cherry, new leather, spice, menthol and licorice add to an impression of brooding intensity. I would cellar the 2018 for at least a few years, as the tannins are pretty impenetrable at this stage.
Jeb Dunnuck
- jd94+
Moving to the two Cabernet releases, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is based on 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Malbec and the rest Petit Verdot, all from Oakville fruit. Promising yet restrained notes of ripe currants, tobacco leaf, sharpened #2 pencils, and chocolate give way to a full-bodied Cabernet that has sweet tannins, a layered, elegant texture, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a great finish. This rich, concentrated 2018 can be drunk today with ample pleasure or cellared for 15-20 years or more.