Bevan Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Saunders Vineyard Oakville 2016 750ml

Russell Bevan's Bevan Cellars has built a cult following for opulent, vineyard-designated Napa Cabernets, and the Saunders Vineyard bottling comes from a rugged hillside site of red, rocky soils in Oakville. The 2016 spent 16 months in new French oak. Vinous rated it 98 points, calling it "one of the most expressive wines in this range," with super-ripe red cherry, plum, mocha, spice and new leather in a sumptuous, creamy frame. Jeb Dunnuck described a full-bodied, powerful yet elegant and seamless wine with blueberry, white flowers, vanilla bean and incense. From a balanced, even Napa vintage, it is drinking beautifully now and has the stuffing to age through the 2030s.