Chalk Hill Estate, Estate Red 2016, Chalk Hill, Sonoma, California

Tasting Note: A supple, cabernet-and-malbec-led, estate red blend with alluring complexity delights the nose and palate.

Deep-intensity purple in color, this wine has an aromatic, medium-plus-intensity nose of bramble, blackberry puree, raspberry, rhubarb, boysenberry with hints of violet blossom, vanilla baking spice and young cedar.

On the palate the dry, full-bodied red blend has ripe, medium-plus-intensity flavors suggested on the nose supported by medium acidity and ripe, medium-plus-intensity tannin.

There is midpalate complexity and silkiness of texture that ultimately completes with a violet-infused, long finish.

The kind of wine you open and serve and your guests take a photo of the label so they can pick up a bottle too.

Bottle Note: 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Malbec, 9% Petit Verdot, 7% Merlot. Over three decades of site-specific research has led to the creation of this single red wine that evokes the unique character of Chalk Hill Estate. Gently hand-crafted without fining or filtrations, this sustainably farmed estate wine is the true expression of the land which it was grown. William P. Foley II, Proprietor.

This wine was submitted for review.