Lail Vineyards 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, J. Daniel Cuvee, Napa Valley
Item Number: 13 20 678 18
Lail Vineyards 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, J. Daniel Cuvee, Napa Valley
100 Points and Impossibly Rare!
About Lail Vineyards 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, J. Daniel Cuvee, Napa Valley
Robin Daniel Lail grew up among the vineyards of Inglenook, founded in 1879 by her great-granduncle, Gustave Niebaum, who pioneered fine winemaking in the Napa Valley. Inglenook was passed down to Robin’s grandfather and then to her father, John Daniel Jr., a true innovator (he was the first to put ‘Napa Valley’ on his labels, and pioneered varietal labeling) and wine industry leader who produced legendary wines. Robin launched her vintner career as Robert Mondavi’s personal assistant, who became her mentor in the wine business. In 1982 Robin co-founded Dominus with Christian Moueix, and in 1983 co-founded Merryvale Vineyards with Bill Harlan, where she served as president for twelve years.
In the mid-nineties, Robin sold out of her partnerships with a vision of bringing her family’s exciting legacy into the 21st Century. Her dream of creating her own extraordinary wines set flight in 1995 when she and her two daughters, Erin and Shannon, set out on their own by launching Lail Vineyards. Today, with legendary Consultant Pilippe Melka overseeing all of the winemaking, the venture carries forth over 135 years of winemaking in the Napa Valley.
Famed enologist Philippe Melka is the winemaker for this 2016 J. Daniel Cuvée. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grown on extraordinary and distinct Napa Valley sites including the family vineyard called Mole Hill at a 1700-feet elevation on Howell Mountain, the Vine Hill Ranch Vineyard in Oakville and Heimark Vineyard in Calistoga. This multi-vineyards cuvée is assembled over its 20 months of aging in 75% new French oak barrels. This flagship bottling is named in honor of founder Robin Lail's father, John Daniel, Jr., a true innovator who produced legendary wines.
Jeb Dunnuck scored this 100 points saying "The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon J. Daniel Cuvee comes from a mix of terroirs (Howell Mountain, Stags Leap, Oakville, Calistoga) and is brought up in 75% new French oak. Heavenly notes of red and black currants, dried tobacco, sandalwood, flowers, and spice give way to a full-bodied, concentrated, yet weightless texture that carries awesome tannins, no hard edges, and just flawless balance. This majestic, regal wine is going to drink brilliantly for 25 years or more."
The Wine Advocate scored this 99 points saying "Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 J. Daniel Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon was aged for 20 months in French oak barrels, 75% new. Very deep garnet-purple in color, it soars out of the glass with seductive notes of crème de cassis, blueberry preserves and Black Forest cake, followed by suggestions of espresso, yeast extract, black truffles and charcoal plus a fragrant waft of violets. Full-bodied, rich and opulently fruited in the mouth, it has layer upon layer of black fruit preserves, earthy nuances and savory sparks, framed by firm, finely grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and fragrant."
Wine Details
- Alcohol % 14.5%
- Bottle Size 750 ml
- Country United States
- Region California
- Appellation Napa
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