2018 Fe Wines 26

Located on Spring Mountain, the Fe Estate vineyard is six-plus acres with a high iron content in the soil, planted to eight-year-old vines. The 2018 26 is 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 11% Petit Verdot and 5% Malbec and has a deep garnet-purple color. It soars out of the glass with bold cassis, blueberry preserves and ripe blackberries scents followed by nuances of menthol, truffles, smoked meats and beef drippings. Full-bodied, with firm, grainy tannins, the palate is lively with layer upon layer of vibrant, perfumed fruit. 270 cases were made, due to be released in March.

These wines are made by Aaron Pott and come all from Spring Mountain. Starting with the 2018 Red Wine Blend 26, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot offers a classic mountain vibe in its bright blue fruits and exotic, forest notes of sappy green herbs, bay leaf, violets, damp earth, and chocolate. These carry to a medium to full-bodied, incredibly pure, seamless 2018 that has flawless balance, terrific tannins, and a great finish. This is one of those wines where everything is in the right place, the balance is spot on, and it has a finish this keeps you coming back to the glass. It benefits from a decant if drinking today and will evolve for 20-25 years or more.

The 2018 26, the second wine of Fe, is a blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 11% Petit Verdot and 5% Malbec. Even with a very different blend from the flagship wine, the 26 shows all of the character of its big sibling and this site in more of a mid-weight style. Rose petal, savory herb and a whole range of striking aromatics give the 2018 tons of personality.