The 2016 Proprietary Red is blended of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Cabernet Franc, 18% Petit Verdot and 5% Merlot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it emits an incredible array of seductive floral notes—violets, lavender and rose hip tea—with a core of warm cassis, redcurrant jelly, dark chocolate, cigar box, tapenade and crushed rocks plus hints of bay leaves, beef drippings and yeast extract. Medium to full-bodied, the palate explodes with vivacious black fruit sparked by red fruit, herbal and mineral accents. It is framed with a rock-solid line of firm, grainy, super ripe tannins and finishes with fantastic fragrance and freshness. Wow!

Iconic vintner Tim Mondavi and his family manage to capture the essence of Pritchard Hill. Their estate features the Sage Mountain Vineyard, a now-mature vineyard providing wisdom and tension in the wine. In 2016, mother nature gifted a great vintage with complexity and concentration to the rather low crop. Signature vineyard notes of zesty citrus and fresh red roses hint at the mineral-driven structure. The flavours are dominated by dark fruits, wild brush and tobacco, and the palate finishes with stern tannins.

100% estate grown and made. 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Cabernet Franc, 18% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot. A nice mix of citrus blossoms, orange zest, a touch of pink grapefruit, and even some bergamot lift from the glass. These carry into the palate for the most citrus-expressive vintage of the tasting so far. Desert herbs and a graphite character remain as does a back note of dark chocolate. But the 2016 vintage is decidedly lifted and aromatic with a lot of mouth-watering freshness and all the pleasures of bitter citrus. The wine is still young and will benefit from decanting, though the tannin is fine-grained so avoids any aggressiveness. This is refinement, expressed through mountain character, that is intriguing and a pleasure. (ECB)

Super aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants and blueberries. Hints of fresh herbs and tobacco. Iron and ink. Full-bodied, very tight and powerful, yet not too heavy. Lightly chewy and polished. So much nerve and intensity. Super length and depth. Drink after 2025, but a joy to taste now.