Crown Point
Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara Cabernet Sauvignon
Earlier this week, a rep for Crown Point wines hosted a tasting to show off a few of their newer releases. New to me, they are out of Santa Barbara and have the duo of Adam Henkel (former assistant winemaker at Harlan for 8yrs) and Philippe Melka (who came on starting with the ‘15 vintage) making the wines.
The difference between this wine and the previous two is that this is their Cabernet (92%) with just a dash of merlot, petit Verdot, malbec and cab franc. Similar to the ‘15 Estate Selection in how this is big and dense but still harmonious. Rich and dark fruits with graphite, cassis, and mocha. Big tannins with a dark and compact core...blackberries, underripe blueberries, violets, and dusty cedar.
Earlier this week, a rep for Crown Point wines hosted a tasting to show off a few of their newer releases. New to me, they are out of Santa Barbara and have the duo of Adam Henkel (former assistant winemaker at Harlan for 8yrs) and Philippe Melka (who came on starting with the ‘15 vintage) making the wines.
The difference between this wine and the previous two is that this is their Cabernet (92%) with just a dash of merlot, petit Verdot, malbec and cab franc. Similar to the ‘15 Estate Selection in how this is big and dense but still harmonious. Rich and dark fruits with graphite, cassis, and mocha. Big tannins with a dark and compact core...blackberries, underripe blueberries, violets, and dusty cedar.
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-throttle wine. Powerful and ample in the glass, the 2016 is loaded with blackberry jam, chocolate, new leather, spice and new French oak. This is a decidedly ripe, flamboyant style, especially within the context of Happy Canyon. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2020)
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-throttle wine. Powerful and ample in the glass, the 2016 is loaded with blackberry jam, chocolate, new leather, spice and new French oak. This is a decidedly ripe, flamboyant style, especially within the context of Happy Canyon. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2020)