2017 Reserve Speciale Cabernet Sauvignon
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Réserve Spéciale matured for 32 months in 70% new French oak and was bottled without fining or filtration. It has an opaque ruby-purple color and singular, arresting aromas of licorice, star anise, rose petal, orange peel and leather, which complement an ocean of Morello cherry fruit at the core. The full-bodied palate is powerful and ripe, with loads of clay-textured tannins and generous fruit still curled into a youthful fist. This has the ingredients for long-term cellaring and will require plenty more bottle time to fully unfold. 304 cases were made.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Cut from the same cloth as the 2018, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Speciale has lots of cassis and blue fruits as well as ample background oak, graphite, crushed stone, and violet-like aromas and flavors. These all carry to a medium-bodied Cabernet with wonderful purity, the straight, focused style of the vintage, some obvious minerality, and a great finish. The balance is spot on, and it has building yet ripe tannins as well as a great finish. Drink this beautiful Cabernet any time over the coming 10-15 years.
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Réserve Spéciale may very well be the finest wine I have tasted from Arrowood in this incarnation. Readers will have to be patient with the 2017, as it is a powerhouse. The purity of the flavors is just striking. Sweet red cherry, pomegranate, mocha, spice and cedar all open gradually in the glass. This is a fabulous example of Sonoma Cabernet. Don't miss it, but give the tannins time to soften.