95pts Jeb Dunnuck

The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Klipsun Vineyard offers a similar pure purple hue but gives up more crème de cassis, crushed stone, graphite, and spring flower-driven aromas and flavors. With the vintage's ripe yet more focused, elegant profile, it's medium to full-bodied, has plenty of tannins, terrific balance, and a great finish. There are enough tannins to warrant 2-4 years of bottle age, and this will see its 20th birthday in fine form.

95pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

With 4% Merlot added to the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain, the nose is big and juicy, erupting from the glass with a hedonistic profile. Hints of coconut macaroon and crème brûlée linger over the robust fruit-forward finish, accompanied by lasting flavors of black raspberry and blueberry tartlet with an intense vanilla expression. Give it time; your patience will be rewarded. The wine aged for 20 months in 100% new oak and spent an additional 14 months in the bottle.

93pts Wine Enthusiast - Editor's Choice

After 19 months in 100% new French oak and 15 months resting in bottle, the Klipsun is eager to get out in the world. A ripe blackberry aroma unites in decadent fashion with notes of toffee and dark chocolate. The wine's black cherry, persimmon, coriander, black tea and balsa flavors are lifted by bright acidity and silky tannins.

93pts Wine Spectator

This powerfully built version offers deep and intense flavors of currant, cedar and dusty herbs that are framed by muscular tannins. Needs time in the cellar. Best from 2025 through 2032. 833 cases made.

92pts Vinous

The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Klipsun Vineyard wafts up with a classic varietal bouquet, mixing blackcurrants with red plums, dried flowers, graphite and hints of bell pepper. This is racy and sleek with a vividly ripe core of red and black fruits underscored by tactile minerals as a whiplash of zesty acidity maintains energy and verve. Red Mountain tannins clench the palate through the finish, yet freshness rules the day. The 2020 finishes structured and long with a pleasantly bitter tinge. This would benefit from more time in the cellar.

Tasting Notes

Klipsun Cabernet Sauvignon is a dark garnet, ruby color. On the nose, blackberry, mulberry and olallieberry with a spicy oak note. As the wine ages, the aromas will meld into a medley of fruit, spice and aromatic dry herbs. Rich blackberry and a hint of wild sage. Pleasant acidity and a rich, balanced mouthfeel followed by a well-developed mid palate. The result is a tannin structure that is evident but seamless. The finish is smooth and lingering.

Winemaker's Notes

The Cabernet Sauvignon is remarkably balanced, requiring limited blending. We chose to blend in only 4% Merlot this year because of the quality of our iconic Cabernet Sauvignon. This small amount of Merlot was enough to harmonize riper berry fruit aromas of the Cabernet. We traditionally add Syrah for added spice character but truly unnecessary this year.

Blend: 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot