Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Continuum – Novicium – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2016
Napa Valley AVA – California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
From Tim Mondavi’s Continuum Estate, this 2016 Novicium Cabernet Sauvignon represents one of the estate’s rarest bottlings, crafted in very small quantities. Sourced from the dramatic slopes of Pritchard Hill, the wine is a bold, concentrated expression of Napa Cabernet, carrying the unmistakable Mondavi family signature of precision, structure, and longevity.

Aromas & Flavors
Explosive aromas of blackcurrant, ripe plum, and cassis, interwoven with cedar, graphite, espresso bean, and subtle dark chocolate. A hint of tobacco and violet adds extra layers of intrigue.

Mouthfeel
Dense, powerful, and structured with firm yet polished tannins. Full-bodied with remarkable depth and intensity, balanced by a fine backbone of acidity that promises longevity. The finish is long, layered, and memorable.

Food Pairings
Perfect alongside prime ribeye, braised short ribs, venison, or a truffle-infused mushroom risotto. A wine made for bold dishes and serious occasions.

Verdict
Outstanding and superb, a powerhouse Cabernet Sauvignon that epitomizes Napa Valley’s potential at its highest level. Bold, concentrated, and age-worthy, it’s a treasure worth savoring now or cellaring for the future.

Did You Know?
Continuum Estate, founded by the Mondavi family on Pritchard Hill, is considered one of Napa’s “Grand Cru” terroirs thanks to its elevation (1,300–1,600 ft) and its red volcanic and loamy soils. The name Novicium hints at “novice” or “beginning,” yet this bottling is anything but, it’s an insider’s gem from one of Napa’s most pedigreed sites. Cheers!

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
Among the finest Napa reds I’ve had in recent memory. This bottle left a lasting impression, truly impressive in its balance of concentration, elegance, and power. One of those wines that instantly reminds you why Napa sits among the world’s great Cabernet regions. — 17 days ago

Tom Garland

9.4

Inspire Napa Walk Around Wine Tasting with:
Bryant Estates
Chappellet
Continuum Estate
Cliff Lede Vineyard
Eisele Vineyard
Favia Wines
Ferren Wines
Futo Wines
Harlan Estates
Keplinger Wines
Morley Family Vineyards
Rudd Estates
Staglin Family Vineyards
Vine Hill Ranch — 4 years ago

with Brenda

James Cox

9.5

Lovely wine. Dark, rich, complex, amazing — 4 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.6

Continuum Estate – 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Cabernet Franc, 17% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot / Vintage 2015
Sage Mountain Vineyard, Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A Bordeaux-inspired red blend from Continuum Estate, perched on Sage Mountain high above Napa Valley. The 2015 vintage, though small in production due to drought and cool flowering conditions, yielded fruit of remarkable intensity and character. Limited quantities make this a collector’s treasure.

Aromas & Flavors
Opens with aromas of cacao, black currant, cardamom, and savory wild herbs. On the palate: lush layers of black cherry, roasted espresso, mountain minerals, and a touch of tangy orange spice. Velvety tannins wrap around ripe black fruit and chocolate notes, finishing long and expressive.

Mouthfeel
Dense, structured, and deeply vinous with remarkable balance between power and finesse. Rich and tactile, yet elegantly polished. Built for both immediate pleasure and decades of graceful aging.

Food Pairings
Best enjoyed with rosemary lamb chops, prime rib, aged gouda, or wild mushroom ragù. But honestly? This wine is an experience in itself, no food required.

Verdict
An elevated expression of Napa Valley mountain fruit, complex, soulful, and deeply memorable. One of those rare wines that leaves you saying, “whoa.”

Did You Know?
Continuum was founded in 2005 by Robert, Marcia, and Tim Mondavi, continuing the Mondavi family’s legacy in Napa with an estate entirely dedicated to Cabernet-family blends from Sage Mountain.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This was a showstopper for me. The 2015 Continuum delivered an elevated experience, the kind of wine that redefines how you think about Napa blends. Truly unforgettable. — 17 days ago

Russ Bus

9.5

Closed and disjointed at opening but came together nicely after a 4 hr decant. Well balanced density and acidity - notable lift. Secondaries showing nicely, tertiaries developing well, perfectly integrated tannin. This is a great time to drink. Aging further may benefit tertiary flavor development and there’s certainly sufficient acid to carry it through, but may have notable textural decline. Of the four wines tasted (Scarecrow 12, Promontory 14, Continuum 13) it was second favorite and most closely aligned stylistically with Scarecrow. — 2 years ago

Paul J

9.5

1hr+ decant. Dark red color. Lively nose and wine with baking spices, dark fruit, graphite, and a little tobacco/cigar box. Finish was a little short, but had a lovely texture. Very similar to the ‘10 Continuum we had as well. I loved both! — 4 years ago

with Brooke

Matthew Cohen

9.0

Nose: more good Sancerre

Palate: some smoke. Hint candied lemon.
60-70yo vines, s/s no oak

Grapevine

Usually $50 can get to $25 on 69 bottle commit $70 retail

94 points — 2 months ago

Tom Garland

9.3

Inspire Napa for Alzheimer research Wine Seminar at Round Pond Estate

Moderator: Ray Isle, Wine Editor, Food & Wine
Panelists:
Antonio Galloni, Vinous founder
Carissa Mondavi, Continuum Estate
Michael Silacci, Opus One Winery
Jason Lede, Cliff Lede Vineyards
Jason Smith, Schrader Cellars

WINES: wines that inspired each person
1977 Mondavi cab reserve...Carissa birth yr
2018 Rinaldi Barolo Brunate...Antonio
2022 Hirsch Estate chard.....Jason Smith
2017 Mas Doix Costers de Vinyes..Jason Lede
2005 Mario Bazan cab....Michael Silacci
2018 Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill...Ray Isle — 2 years ago

with Brenda

Paul J

9.7

2010 blind wine tasting! Colgin, Continuum, Insignia, Montrose, Pape Clement, Smith Lafite. As expected I preferred the Bordeaux’s! — 4 years ago

with Steve

Bruce Dunbar

9.0

The 2019 Napa Petite Syrah is inky purple with a huge nose right out of the bottle. Smooth and low acid, it hits with cassis and dark cherry and is wonderfully peppery on the back end. The alcohol was running a bit hot on this youngster — I’d expect a year or two in bottle will make this excellent. And a real bargain on the price/quality/ready-to-drink continuum relative the the single vineyard PSs Turley puts out. Update 7/25: as hoped the slightly ‘hot’ nature of this wine has mellowed without any loss of the great balance of flavors. Drinking wonderfully now. Raised score. — 4 years ago