Ancient Peaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Aged in (100% new) French oak barrels, this standout red was made with estate-grown grapes grown from cultivated blocks located 14 miles from the Pacific in Paso’s southernmost sub-AVA. Big, juicy, and ripe, it’s a world-class ambassador for the winery and the region. Slate intensifies silky tannins while augmenting sleek notes of blackberry, licorice, black olive, vanilla, and oak on the sumptuous palate, whose fine acid structure results in excellent food-pairing abilities. Score – 95. (Meridith May, tastingpanel.com, May/June 2023)