2016 Kinsman Anjea

Silky, polished and exceptionally beautiful, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Anjea Sleeping Lady Vineyard is just as impressive from bottle as it was from barrel. A rush of black cherry, plum, mocha, spice, new leather, licorice and dark spice gives the 2016 its racy, exuberant personality. This is an especially dark, almost brooding expression of Sleeping Lady and yet all the elements come together effortlessly.

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Anjea comes from clone 22 vines in the Sleeping Lady vineyard. Deep garnet-purple colored, it gives up intense red and black currants, black cherries and black berries with touches of bay leaves, chocolate mint, violets, cinnamon stick and cedar chest. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is laden with vibrant black fruit layers and red fruit sparks, framed by firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing very long and very perfumed.

Kinsman's 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Anjea Sleeping Lady Vineyard is one of the most promising 2016s I have tasted so far. Sumptuous, explosive and beautifully layered in the glass, the 2016 captures the purest essence of this Yountville site. An alluring mélange of sweet red cherry/plum, flower and spice notes, along with silky tannins, convey an impression of total finesse. Vivid, nuanced and exceptionally polished, the 2016 is a flat-out stunner. That's all there is to it.