2016 La Magdalena

The 2016 La Magdalena is superb. Dense, pliant and richly textured, with supremely beautiful inner perfume and depth, the 2016 has so much to offer. Super-ripe red cherry, plum, wild flowers, espresso, mint, rose petal and spice notes abound in this mid-weight, yet deeply flavored Cabernet Sauvignon. Just as it was from barrel, La Magdalena is wonderfully lifted and nuanced.

The 2016 La Magdalena is made up of 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 22 months in barrel and a year in bottle. Very deep purple-black in color, it features wild blueberries, black cherries and cassis notions that spring from the glass with beautiful suggestions of lavender, pencil shavings and tilled black soil plus a waft of Sichuan pepper. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is fantastically bright and energetic with a solid backbone of ripe, grainy tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing long and mineral laced. Bottled without fining or filtration. 276 cases produced.

Favia's 2016 La Magdalena is superb. Intense and yet also somehow light on its feet, the 2016 is simply magnificent today. There is a freshness to the wine that keeps the flavors bright, while the palate sensation has an element of almost-translucent airiness, which is remarkably rare for a young wine. The 2016 is the finest version of the Magdalena I have tasted.