It’s at all times a deal with to style wines from Napa’s Baldacci — however to obtain some well-aged choices makes for an additional particular night. Whereas 2021 is a extra consultant present classic for these cabernet releases, the vineyard just lately launched a group of 2015 classic choices from its cellars, showcasing how a decade of age can alter the expertise within the glass. Right here’s a take a look at this trilogy of Baldacci’s most prized cabs.
2015 Baldacci Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District Brenda’s Winery Overview
The intensely heavy bottle — one of many weightiest I can bear in mind — cues you in to the truth that that is premium cab to not be trifled with. The classic date — a full 10 years previously — solely amplifies that. What awaits you upon popping the cork is a luxe expertise that calls for your full consideration. A basic Napa expression of well-integrated currants, plums, vanilla, and milk chocolate, the wine drinks like a supple but vigorous dessert writ small, folding in delicate notes of anise and graphite, returning to late-game hints of boysenberry and cherry. Fairly a journey and effectively price your time. A / $180
2015 Baldacci Ruppert Overview
“Ruppert 2015” is all you’ll see on the entrance label of this wine except you squint: “Baldacci” seems in birdseed kind within the gold-inked crest. The wine is a 100% cabernet sauvignon from Coombsville, and it’s as lush because the Brenda’s Winery bottling above, maybe much more highly effective with its aggressive notes of totally extracted, black fruit and a surprisingly vigorous notice of figs, adopted by tobacco and a great deal of chocolate. The wine is approachable immediately however by no means tender or flabby, punching arduous into its varietal character and arising with nothing however vibrant, layered fruit and a latent reprise of floral notes. Arguably the very best wine on this assortment. A / $150
2015 Baldacci Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Overview
Boldly tannic, this wine nonetheless feels surprisingly tight and youthful regardless of its 10 yr previous age assertion. Notes of darkish chocolate and tarry earth dominate, making room for intense notes of extracted currants because it develops. The end takes an natural flip, gently minty with parts of rosemary and sage seen, earlier than delving again into that dense, macerated fruit for a reprising end. A- / $125
2015 Baldacci Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District Brenda’s Winery
USD180
