2016 5500 Stags Leap

Fascinating young red with complex and subtle aromas and flavors of currants, black truffles, conifer and dark chocolate. Full-bodied yet tight and compact with amazing depth and a steely backbone of acidity and tannins. Superb finish. This needs two or three years of bottle age. Try after 2022.(01/2019)

Another incredible wine from this estate is the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon 5500, which checks in as 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Merlot brought up in a mix of new and used barrels. It's as seamless and elegant as it gets and offers a beautiful bouquet of creme de cassis, raspberries, smoke tobacco, new saddle leather, and ample rocky, earthy minerality. It shows slightly more blue fruits and violets notes with time in the glass, has off-the-charts purity, silky tannins, and a fabulous finish. It's a heavenly wine that's going to put on weight with 2-4 years of bottle age and cruise for two decades or more in the cellar. (01/2019)