2018 Ink Grade, Andosol, Napa Valley, California, USA

  • Red
  • Dry
  • Full Bodied
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
Ready - youthful (Drink 2023 - 2039)
Joe Czerwinski
92/100
James Suckling
93/100
Product: 20188175463

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Description

The Ink Grade Andosol has to be one of the most exiting Napa Valley field blends I’ve tasted in recent years. This is an incredible blend that each year is unique, depending on the quality of fruit, but for me personally the 2018 vintage hits the spot perfectly. On first impressions the wine isn’t overly bold or intense like you may find in other Californian field blends.

The Andosol is built from mainly mountain Zinfandel which displays incredible silky tannins. When tasting with Carlton he described the tannins as ‘it’s like carving marble and finishing up with a smooth ball’. The fruit is high quality cherry and cassis on the forefront of the palate with refreshing, well balanced acidity offering a good decade and half of potential ageing. In short: this wine took me massively by surprise and is not one to be overlooked!

Drink 2023 - 2038

Cameron Gates, Account Manager, Berry Bros. & Rudd

Colour Red
Sweetness Dry
Vintage 2018
Alcohol % 14%
Maturity Ready - youthful (2023 - 2039)
Grape List Cabernet Sauvignon
Body Full Bodied
Producer Ink Grade

Critics reviews

Joe Czerwinski 92/100
Cherry, cassis and pine notes mark the nose of the 2018 Andosol, a blend of 80% Zinfandel and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Matured largely in tank and foudre, it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, framed by silky tannins, then finishes long and bright, with plenty of red fruit and mouthwatering acids.Drink 2023 - 2033Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate (March 2023)
Drink 2023 - 2033
Joe Czerwinski, RobertParker.com (Mar 2023)
James Suckling 93/100
A blend of Zinfandel, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Merlot. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. A firm and polished red with cranberry, blackberry and crushed stone character. It’s clear and bright with a darkness and tension. Shows flowers and spices at the end with some dried potpourri and peppercorn. From vineyards in Howell Mountain. Aged three years in cask.Drink or holdjames_suckling, jamessuckling_com (March 2023)
Drink 2023 - 2033
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com (Mar 2023)