2018 Turnbull Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley- USA, California, Napa Valley (1/18/2021)
Gobs of fruit and gritty French oak tannins and jam. At first I thought it was completely overdone, but after some time in decanter, it wasn’t as offensive as I initially thought. And the initial sweetness took somewhat of a backseat eventually (although still most certainly there). Same with the oak, it’s prominent, but not offensive. At 14.3% ABV, it’s almost on the lighter style for the region.
Not at all my style of wine (got it gifted), but for the region, decent QPR. (88 pts.)
I opened a bottle of this last night. I remembered this note, partly because I had drank this wine on a previous occasion and the note did not jive with my recollection. I did not post at the time because I do not keep notes. Well I am glad I did not respond until now because last night’s bottle was very well described by Adam. There was definitely some residual sweetness. Kind of bugs me too, because I sure hope this is not reflected in their other 2018 SV and Black Label cabernets, which have been pretty stellar (IMHO) over the last number of years.
It’s funny, I’d always said that Stags’ Leap’s Artemis was a great and almost perfect old school Napa cab, as that’s how I remembered it from a visit (and from the subsequent bottles in cellar). Then I opened one not that long ago, and was overwhelmed by the sweetness. It’s funny how quick your palate changes and how a memory of a wine can be so different after some time has passed.
I’ve had 2 or 3 prior vintages and they have all been meh and a relatively poor QPR. I still have a 2012 that I need to pull but I really don’t have any high expectations.
Yep, I think I even got it at a shade under $40 at Rye Brook before all the reviews started coming in and retailers bumped the price a bit. Ass good of a value as you’re going to find in Napa cabs IMO.
