2018 Cadence Winery Camerata Cara Mia Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain, USA (750ml) CARPE VINUM

WINEMAKER’S NOTES:

Stunningly expansive and expressive nose of bright cherries, plums, herbs and baking spices. The palate echoes the nose, complemented by a rich, silky mouth-feel. Most wondrous is the intensity with which the multiple facets of Camerata are presented and integrated; acid, fruit and tannins are in absolute synchrony, dazzling in their energy. A truly exceptional Camerata.

Blend: 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc

TASTING NOTES:

Moving to the reserve wines, the 2018 Camerata checks in 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and 9% Cabernet Franc that saw a longer élevage, spending 23 months in 50% new French oak. Incredible notes of blackcurrants, black olives, tobacco, damp earth, and sous bois define the bouquet, and it’s a magical, full-bodied, incredibly balanced Cabernet with ripe, silky tannins, no hard edges, and a monster of a finish. As with the Bel Canto, it’s one of the finest wines I’ve ever tasted from this estate.

-Jeb Dunnuck, 98 pts.

Made from Cabernet Sauvignon clone 191, the 2018 Camerata displays a firm and juicy nose with an undercurrent of mineral tension and floral essences that waft from the glass with juicy blackberry and plum aromas. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is delineated, balanced and precise, showing a well-made Cabernet with elegant mineral tension and well-defined tannins that sway across the mid-palate. The wine concludes with a soft element of pencil shavings, dried savory herbs and dusty roses on the delightfully lingering finish. It’s a delicious wine that will indeed be food-friendly for more than a decade.

– Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, 94 pts. 

The 2018 Camerata returned to form, blending 73 percent cabernet with merlot (18 percent) and cabernet franc (9 percent). As with the 2017, the cabernet brings formidable depth to the wine, with dark purple berry flavors providing an exceptional, roiling core. But the merlot and cabernet franc play a leavening role, lining the black fruits with bright red ones, providing tension and complexity. It’s intense yet detailed, aided by a dusty, cedary savor and suave tannins.

– Wine & Spirits, 93 pts. 

Cabernet Sauvignon comprises 73% of this wine, with the rest Merlot (18%) and Cabernet Franc (8%). The aromas offer notes of fresh cherries, raspberries, red currants, orange rind and herbs. The palate brings a lot of freshness and structure. Most Cadence wines required patience. This one is considerably more giving out of the gate but still has the structure for the long haul.

– Wine Enthusiast, 92 pts.