This bottle is a testament to the kind of value Santa Barbara County represents in Cabernet across all of California. A region famous for its pinots and chardonnays, but some–if not most–of my favorite Bordeaux varieties come from Santa Barbara. And the unpretentiousness and affordability certainly strike a bold chord. This wine doesn’t even need to be tasted to feel the quality. The nose exudes decadence and pure cab concentration sniff after sniff, calving off massive chunks of spicy briar and vegetal goodness alongside perfect oak treatment and elegant fruit selection. But then you taste it.
Only 4 years old, and while readily accessible, there is a power contained indicating DECADES of life ahead. Black and inky in the glass–but with a clearing ruby rim of transparency–it’s not so much staining as it is clairvoyant in its dedication to delivery. Rich cherry and black walnut hull create a ripe, pithy take on fullness of berry while grippy and unforgiving. Outstanding balance throughout: nothing awry or glaring except the ridiculous amount of *even-ness* of all factors contained. But it’s not calm or complacent: this is NOT your chubby, smoooooth, top-shelf supermarket offering where homogenous oak and RS rule the easily-titillated palate. Everywhere you look it begs serious consideration alongside some of California’s top-tier, most ageable Cabs–most double this price. 160 cases and winery only, so look sharp.
2019 LUCAS & LEWELLEN ‘Clone 6’ Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Ynez Valley Santa Barbara Co. 14.5
Stephen McConnell 