2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Pritchard Hill

Good dark red. Pungent if ultimately reticent scents of black fruits, licorice and menthol, along with a classic Naphtha Valley note. Juicy and tight, even youthfully clenched, and a shock to the palate following the '10 and '09 vintages here. This distinctly austere, low-fat version is an outlier in this line-up and will need extended aging to express itself. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins and attractive floral lift.

Bryant's 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Bryant Family Vineyard is incredibly silky, polished and vibrant. Sweet red berries, mint, wild flowers and crushed rocks flow across the palate in an energetic, tense wine loaded with focus and cut. The 2011 is a bit understated relative to previous years, but its balance is terrific. High-toned floral and savory notes add an attractive upper register to the finish. I won't be surprised if the 2011 flies under the radar for a while. Wines from this property have a way of developing beautifully in bottle.

The softer, lighter 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Pritchard Hill reveals no hint of herbaceousness. It offers lots of red and black currants intertwined with hints of blueberry liquor, fewer floral notes, and attractive, medium-bodied, juicy fruit that provides allure as well as opulence. Enjoy it over the next 10-12 years. Since its debut vintage in 1992, the Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon has always been 100% Cabernet Sauvignon made from a 13-acre vineyard atop Pritchard Hill, overlooking Lake Hennessey. It is a magnificent site that has served as a catalyst for other producers to plant vineyards in this gorgeous, distinctive micro-climate and terroir. The Bettina cuvee, named after Don Bryant’s wife, is a proprietary blend from viticulturist David Abreu’s three estate vineyards, Madrona Ranch, Thorevilos and his estate on Howell Mountain called Lucia. Often dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, it usually includes a considerable amount of Cabernet Franc and smaller quantities of Merlot and Petit Verdot. A third cuvee called DB4 is the least expensive offering produced from the same vineyards as the Bettina. Although I have not tasted any recent vintages, it is made in a more forward, drinkable style. As for the 100% Cabernet Sauvignon flagship wine from Pritchard Hill, after a period where Bryant Family changed winemakers and there were numerous distractions (2001 and 2002), these wines have come back to represent some of the most singular and prodigious Cabernet Sauvignons of Napa Valley. Tel. (707) 963-0483