94pts James Suckling

A well-balanced, complex and composed red that should age nicely. A full body and firm, fine-grained tannins interlace with intricate, layered flavors of black cherries, spearmint, dark chocolate and cedar. Good intensity and focus.

Winemaker Notes

The 2017 Rattlesnake is opaque purple at the core with a dark purple rim. At this very young stage the nose is expressing pure cassis concentrate, black plum, ground cocoa nib and anise. Numerous spices start to emerge from the glass; clove, pepper and bright cinnamon. Every return to the glass brings a new round of descriptors. Round upon entrance, the wine is very quick to the big chalky tannins at this stage. Coffee grounds, cooking chocolate and dark volcanic minerality dominate the palate. The tannins are certainly young and firm, chalky but very present, while mountain acidity comes in for balance. This is one of the biggest Rattlesnake Cabernets we have ever made, where at 18-19 years it will start to show a beautiful bottle bouquet and still have some youthful fruit.