2016 Select Cabernet Sauvignon - Bottle

100% Napa Valley

Insieme Wines Select Cabernet Sauvignon was first introduced in 2011.  Only in great vintages and with access to great fruit from Napa Valley will we drive forward with such a special wine.   The 2016 Select Cabernet builds on experience, tradition, great terroir and overall respect for fruit and place.  It was aged for 36 months in French Oak Barrels that held our 2016 Reserve Cabernet and 2016 Signature Blend; with an additional 36 months in neutral tank.  With slightly used barrels the oak impact is subtle but present.  Subtlety is the key here.   The beautiful Napa Valley fruit gets to sing and dance while the oak influences take a back seat and offer a supporting role.  This wine is unfined and unfiltered to preserve maximum phenolic composition.  It has a dark garnet color with a violet hue.  It is deep and concentrated.  The bouquet is highly complex, perfumed and ever changing.  It opens with aromas of Blueberry Pie, Plum Compote, Blackberry Jam with hints of Almond, Sweet Smoke and Bay Leaf.  With time it offers up notes of Eucalyptus, Hawthorne, Cardamom, Anise and violets.  The mouthfeel is dry with medium+ viscosity with an underlying brininess that gives it tremendous length on the palate.  The tannins are very present but round and velvety with an incredibly long finish.  The wine has enough acidity to carry the volume.  The palate opens to layers of dark plum, black currant, clove, with hints of cedar and licorice.  With a little time, it opens to subtle hints of spice, vanilla, oyster mushrooms, Rhubarb with a recurring backdrop of eucalyptus.  This wine needs to be enjoyed over several hours to be appreciated.  It has many layers that it offers up.  As I’ve said so often… it’s about layers and texture!