- 2016 Grant Marie Winery Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California (4/25/2025)
2016 Grant Marie Cabernet Sauvignon (North Yuba, CA)
Decanted briefly for sediment. Unfined and unfiltered.
A majestic purple in the glass, this wine opens with a striking evolution of aromatics—smoke and savory tones swirl with notes of black olive, with a fleeting but welcoming whisper of white pepper that adds nuance rather than distraction. The purity of fruit is arresting—vivid yet restrained—with remarkable balance between firm mountain tannins and fresh acidity. At 13.8% ABV, it’s precise and honest, showcasing the raw expression of North Yuba’s granite-rich soils.
There’s an almost spiritual clarity to the wine, reminiscent of Beta. I also thought of Dunn Howell Mountain in its focused, site-driven intensity, power and elegance. The structure is serious, but the wine is deeply pleasurable—textured, long, and full of energy.
This bottle is not only a profound expression of mountain Cabernet, but also a testament to place and time—its roots trace back to the Renaissance Vineyard and the stewardship of Grant, a farmer of the land since the ’70s. That lineage, discovered through an old Alice Feiring video I stumbled on YouTube (with Gideon Beinstock of Clos Saron), makes the experience feel like uncovering a hidden chapter in California wine.
At $28, this is an outrageous value—easily one of the most satisfying bottles I’ve come across. I ordered directly from Marie at the winery, which made the experience feel even more fun/personal. I’m eager to revisit the second half of the bottle and watch it evolve. (96 points)
Posted from CellarTracker
  