Antica Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (75cl, 14.7%)

Antica Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is a 750ml Atlas Peak AVA Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California, bottled at 14.7% ABV by the Antinori family's Napa Valley estate. The 2018 blend is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, drawn from eight clones across 16 vineyard blocks, with only 12% of the estate's harvest making the final selection. Grapes underwent a three-day cold soak and 14-day fermentation in stainless steel tanks, then aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. The nose shows crushed blueberries, black raspberries, ripe blackcurrant, violet, dried mint and pencil lead. The palate is dense with black cherry preserves and dark currant, firm but polished tannins, graphite minerality, green tobacco, Asian spice and a brambly quality. The finish is long, with cedar, iron, dark fruit and fine-grained tannin.