Bevan Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Houyi Vineyard Napa Valley 2017 750ml

Russell Bevan's Bevan Cellars has become one of Napa Valley's most acclaimed small producers, and its Houyi Vineyard bottling comes from the Nine Suns estate on Pritchard Hill, in the eastern hills above Lake Hennessey. The 2017 earned 98 points from Jeb Dunnuck, who praised its crème de cassis, graphite, white flowers, lead pencil and "liquid rock-like minerality," ranking it among the most complete wines in the lineup. Aged 16 months in new French oak, it is deep, full-bodied, pure and balanced. Vinous highlighted the pedigree of the hillside site in a dense, plush, characterful Cabernet Sauvignon. Drinking well now with air, it should continue to improve through the mid-2030s.