From Vineyard N °95, located near the winery building at 1200 feet above sea level, BRIO is a vibrant Bordeaux-style blend: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon provides a dense core of red fruit with 30% Cabernet Franc adding aromatic grace notes and 5% Petit Verdot contributing depth to the wine. Aged for 20 months in French oak barrels and bottled unfined and unfiltered, this wine is expressive and approachable. Dazzling notes of black cherry, cocoa powder, and cardamom show now; this wine will reveal additional nuance with further aging.
“Looking first at the 2016 Brio, which could be considered the second wine of the estate, it’s a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot aged 20 months in 50% new oak. It’s a forward, fleshy, incredibly charming effort that gives up loads of black fruits, leafy herbs, licorice, and tapenade notes, full-bodied richness, and sweet tannins. It’s ready to go but will cruise for 10-15 years.”
93 points, JebDunnuck.com, Jan 2019
“Made from Cabernet Sauvignon from Pritchard Hill aged for 22 months in 50% new French oak, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Brio has open-knit notes of warm cassis, blueberry tart and crushed plums with touches of chargrill, beef drippings and Marmite toast plus a touch of bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the mouth with firm, chewy tannins and plenty of savory layers, finishing with a pleasant herbal lift. 1,000 cases produced.”
91 points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Oct 2018
