Seduce Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

$85

The 2018 Seduce Cabernet Sauvignon is characterized by the deep color, good tannic structure, controlled concentration and elegant sensuality.

The quality of this 2018 Seduce Cabernet Sauvignon comes close to its illustrious predecessors without pretending to rival the generosity of 2015 or the elegance of 2016. Nonetheless, it has a rightful place in the estate’s lineage of great vintages: it is profound, complex, intense and long.

The initial tastings in the winemaking process offered a moment of astonishment. A deep dark complex nose of black fruit with a heady density quintessential of Napa mountain fruit.

Remarkably balanced on the palate with complex layers of black fruit, cedar, herbs and spice, all with just the right intensity and yet still balanced and elegant. The finish shows great tannin structure, soft yet powerful indicating its aging potential.

This is a super wine that can be enjoyed upon release but shows age worthiness indicating it could be laid down for ten to twenty years.

Fleur Sauvage Chocolate Tasting with Bill

The tendency of most chocolates with ganache (flavored fillings) is to show a dash of flavor and then let the cacao take over leaving simply a residual taste of chocolate.

Paired with our Seduce Cabernet Sauvignon however the wine initially overpowers the cacao, then highlights the flavors of the ganache and finally retains much of the three flavors, wine, ganache and cacao on the palate for a delicious extended time. Here are a few examples:

  • Pumpkin Spice Caramel - The wine melds with the ganache and then highlights the cacao holding it on the palate forever.
  • Mint Dark Chocolate - The wine highlights the mint and brings the cacao, mint and wine together - spectacular finish.
  • Brown Butter Caramel - The wine and caramel come together in the center of the palate then leave the chocolate - but wait for the finale - they are all still there together.
  • Candy Cap Mushroom - The wine takes the mushroom right to the earth in the center of the forest - a delicious sensation.
  • Orange Dark Chocolate - The wine spreads the orange across the palate keeping it going on with a light finish of chocolate.
Tasting by Bill in December 2022 - Enjoy . . .
The Cabernet Sauvignon is always the heart and the framework for Seduce, accounting for 85% of the total in this vintage. Upon tasting, the tannins were perfectly ripe, which reassured us that our decision to wait a few more days before harvesting was the right choice.

The wines’ structure remains a rare combination of power and refinement. From our mountain top vineyards on Atlas Peak above the Napa Valley Cabernet Franc (10%) and Estate Merlot from Dry Creek Valley (5%) round out the blend for this wine.

The 2018 season was seamless with heavenly hangtime and phenomenal phenolic development. February saw abundant rains, followed by lots of filtered light in spring and early summer. Both bud break and flowering occurred a bit late, but under ideal weather conditions, creating plentiful and even fruit set.

Summer brought generous sun during the day and cooler marine influences, virtually uninterrupted by major heat spikes.

The relatively mild summer followed by extended fall sunshine and moderate heat created near-ideal conditions as the fruit developed flavor complexity, approaching maturity with gradual increases in sugar levels, reaching optimal balance of brix and pH levels at harvest.

Matured and aged in French Oak for 22 months, approximately 45% new, 45% one use and the balance neutral.
Cases produced = 800. No allergens were used in the making of this wine.
Color Red
Vintage 2018
Harvest Date 24th Oct 2018
Style Red Bordeaux
Appellation Atlas Peak, Napa Valley
Varietal Cabernet Sauvignon
Date Bottled 27th Jul 2020
Drinkable 2021 - 2033
Alcohol 14.50%
Bottle Size 750ml