Magistrate Cabernet Sauvignon Gem Series Spring Mountain District

Pretty good QPR.

Your typical Napa cab, I thought it offered more than more expensive wines in its class. Rich ripe fruit, moderate tannins with an easy finish. Could be from the bottle age, that always helps. And 2016 was a great vintage all in all. Drink now thru 2026/8+ Rebuy

Swanky Magistrate offering – solid, but a bit steep for what it brings to the table, IMO. (I may be biased by other great wines from this vintage...) Rich, jammy, dark fruit (think black cherry, blackberry, plum, currant) with chocolate aromas on the nose. The dark fruit certainly drives the taste as well with light fennel and pepper on the backend.

The nose has a nice complexity and fragrance of toasted clove, cassis, river stones and some dried oregano. The elegant palate echoed the nose. Good freshness. The herbaceous and earthy spice notes flowed from entry to finish. Medium to full-bodied structure and a slightly astringent finish complete the impression of the wine. The higher elevation and sense of place showed through in the higher acidity and minerality. Drink with minimal decanting needed. A few more years of aging would be …

Very nice, fruity and full body, $50.00 value 😌

Rolled the dice on this for $35- I couldn't find much information about it, other than that it exists. (No info on average pricing, general quality, etc.) It ended up being really lovely. Tons of that rich Napa buttery toast/cedar oak I love- yes, it buries the fruit a little bit- still, there's a touch of pretty blackberry or some other vague dark fruit for sure. Not baked or jammy fruit at all. Some good acidity, needs a pinch more …