Ad Vivum 2019 Sleeping Lady Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

A fantastic boutique Cabernet from Ad Vivum and the great 2018 vintage - limited.

98 Robert Parker: "Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the Ad Vivum 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Sleeping Lady Vineyard has a deep garnet-purple color and issues seductive notions of black fruit preserves, warm blueberries and violets with subtle hints of dark chocolate, licorice and cedar chest. Full-bodied, the palate is chock-full of juicy black fruits, supported by firm-yet-plush tannins and a lively backbone, finishing with great length and purity. Long. 350 cases are due to be made."

98 Points Decanter: "The Ad Vivum Sleeping Lady is built on a solid foundation of superbly structured tannins—firm, muscular, and robust. This is the most powerful vintage yet, with broad-shouldered tannins complemented by juniper, sage, black pepper notes and a hint of charcuterie. Medium-bodied on the palate, it offers blackberry and blue fruit aromatics alongside tobacco and espresso bean, with the tannins continuing to build through the finish. This is an impressively fresh and intriguing wine, with generous fruit character yet a coiled, reserved structure that carries remarkable tension."

The 2019 Ad Vivum Cabernet represents one of Napa's best recent vintages, made with 100% cabernet sauvignon grapes from two micro-blocks at Sleeping Lady Vineyard in Yountville along the Mayacamas Mountains. Winemaker Chris Phelps has worked with Petrus, Dominus and Caymus and he made just 430 cases of this allocation only wine for his own label. Dense tannic structure and youthfully energetic cassis mean the wine will drink well for several decades to come.