Staglin Family Vineyards – Salus Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 – Rutherford, Napa Valley

The nose is fruity, gourmand, quite fine, relatively powerful and offers complexity and intensity. It reveals notes of ripe black berries, blueberry, blackberry cream and slight notes of violet associated with touches of strawberry, a hint of sour cherry, notes of Ceylon tea as well as a hint of black tea, Sichuan pepper, touches of Zan and a hint of flower candy. The palate is fruity, well-balanced, well structured, relatively fleshy and offers a nice freshness, minerality, a fresh frame, tension, juiciness, harmony, a certain purity of fruit as well as a beautiful and silky matter. On the palate this wine expresses notes of juicy blackberry, cassis and a hint of blueberry, dried fig associated with small touches of Zan, Ceylon tea, fine notes of spices as well as very discreet hints of chocolate, toasted oak and slight note of grilled oak on the finish. Tannins are elegant, well-built, structuring and integrated. Good length and persistence.