2015 Seavey Cabernet Sauvignon 'Caravina'

Napa Valley, California

Seavey’s 17th vintage of Caravina—the 2015—is lusciously deep and soft. It opens with notes of raspberry, tart cherry, ganache, cedar and a hint of smokiness, and continues in the mouth with wonderfully bright strawberry and raspberry jam flavors. The wine has significant texture and grip that carry through to the end of the finish. Dynamic and spirited, this wine is wonderfully accessible now but its lively, open energy reveals a layered experience that will surely evolve with time. The winemaking team is Jim Duane and Philippe Melka.

100% estate grown fruit. 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot that sees 43% new French oak. Made from grapes sourced from a unique tapestry of steep hillside blocks in the vineyard notable for their intense and youthful flavors. In order to carefully manage the tannins and resulting wine texture, the grapes were neither crushed nor run through a pump. Following fermentation, the wine was aged in French oak barrels for 20 months before bottling in June 2017.

92+ points, Antonio Galloni's Vinous. "The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Caravina packs a serious punch. Once again a real overachiever, the Caravina offers notable density and pure power in its dark plum, chocolate, lavender and leather flavors. The 2015 is going to need at least a few years to shed some of its baby fat, after which it should drink beautifully for a number of years. This is a very serious second wine from Seavey. At many Napa Valley properties, this would be the top wine."