WINEMAKER'S NOTES:
The seamlessly polished yet powerful 2019 Aida Estate Cabernet is a deep, inky reminder of the concentration that the Aida vineyard is famous for. Its blue and black fruits, crushed rocks and scorched earth aromas coat every inch of the glass before sliding into a palate of creamy milk chocolate, hints of anise and espresso beans. Red fruit and graphite further burst on the palate of this intensely concentrated wine. Massive, yet perfectly balanced and velvety in texture this wines come together beautifully and finishes long, drawn out and full throughout. With patience, will cellar for 30+ years.
TASTING NOTES:
Another magical wine in the lineup, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Aida Estate is just about all Cabernet with 2% Cabernet Franc, raised 20 months in 80% new barrels. Pure crème de cassis, truffly earth, lead pencil, new leather, and herbes de Provence-like notes define this rich, concentrated, full-bodied, yet utterly seamless 2019. It shows the layered, ripe, opulent style of the vintage and is going to cruise for 20-25 years in cold cellar.
- Jeb Dunnuck, 98 pts.
Rich, broad and impressively saturated, this full-bodied wine from stony soil north of St. Helena floods the palate with überripe black fruits, mocha and bracing black currant, blackberry and blueberry flavors with well-integrated tannins for grip without grit. Made with just 2% Cabernet Franc, the wine has been fermented for 30 days in oak tanks and matured for 20 months in 80% new French barrels. Best 2026-2036.
- Wine Enthusiast, 97 pts.
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Aida Estate is a powerhouse. Dark red cherry, gravel, crushed rocks, herbs and licorice saturate the palate. This explosive potent Cabernet offers tons of intensity as well as structure. I would give it a few years to soften. A wine of breadth and textural richness, the Aida is lights-out.
- Vinous, 97 pts.
While I adored the Turley Petite Syrahs (yes, that's how they were labeled) sourced from this vineyard, it's hard to argue with the Cabernet Sauvignon that replaced those old vines. Vaguely smoky, with layers of dark fruit—black cherries, plums, cassis and blueberries—framed by lavish vanilla and cedar notes, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Aida Estate is full-bodied and expansive in the mouth, richly textured and tannic, with a long, velvety finish. It should begin drinking well in a few years and continue to do so for up to two decades.
- Wine Advocate, 95+ pts.
