![Colgin Cellars "Cariad" Red 2018 (Napa Valley, California) - [VM 100] [WA 98+] [JS 98] [JD 98] [WS 97]](http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0481/8940/7391/products/unnamed_d15214e3-ac43-46ec-aacc-02400c63c791_{width}x.jpg?v=1647184233)
Colgin Cellars "Cariad" Red 2018
(Napa Valley, California) - [VM 100] [WA 98+] [JS 98] [JD 98] [WS 97]
Regular price $1,000.00 Sale price $899.99 Save $100.01
About the winery:
Founded in 1992 with a small hillside vineyard (Herb Lamb), Colgin Cellars gradually added to their hillside vineyard holdings. The Colgin winery, completed in 2002, is located at the northern end of IX Estate in the Pritchard Hill area of St. Helena. Their reputation burgeoned and, in 2005, they were named “One of the Fifty Greatest Wine Estates in the World” by Robert Parker. Today, these singular wines have a devoted following.
Colgin Cellars has three vineyard sites, Tychson Hill, Cariad and IX Estate. Cariad, south of Tychson Hill, is an 8 acre site on volcanic, stony soils with gravelly alluvium. Here, the mineral-rich soils coupled with the cool mountain climate translate into sublime Cabernet Sauvignon-based blends.
Founded in 1992 with a small hillside vineyard (Herb Lamb), Colgin Cellars gradually added to their hillside vineyard holdings. The Colgin winery, completed in 2002, is located at the northern end of IX Estate in the Pritchard Hill area of St. Helena. Their reputation burgeoned and, in 2005, they were named “One of the Fifty Greatest Wine Estates in the World” by Robert Parker. Today, these singular wines have a devoted following.
Colgin Cellars has three vineyard sites, Tychson Hill, Cariad and IX Estate. Cariad, south of Tychson Hill, is an 8 acre site on volcanic, stony soils with gravelly alluvium. Here, the mineral-rich soils coupled with the cool mountain climate translate into sublime Cabernet Sauvignon-based blends.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, the grapes for “Cariad” hail from these ancient riverbeds turned hillsides overlooking the heart of Napa Valley.
Named for the Welsh word for love, Cariad’s opulence and structure are characterized by exotic notes of violet, dark fruit, and a gravelly minerality.
Tasting Notes:
The 2018 "Cariad" has a regal, stately character with notes of classic dark fruits and earth. Notes of plum, licorice candy, and forest floor permeate the senses along with gentle hints of floral blossoms. The wine’s expansive palate is supported by magnificent tannins and a finish bursting with flavor. The 2018 vintage of “Cariad” is brimming with energy and finesse.
Named for the Welsh word for love, Cariad’s opulence and structure are characterized by exotic notes of violet, dark fruit, and a gravelly minerality.
Tasting Notes:
The 2018 "Cariad" has a regal, stately character with notes of classic dark fruits and earth. Notes of plum, licorice candy, and forest floor permeate the senses along with gentle hints of floral blossoms. The wine’s expansive palate is supported by magnificent tannins and a finish bursting with flavor. The 2018 vintage of “Cariad” is brimming with energy and finesse.
Ratings & Reviews
100 Points - Vinous Media:
"What a thrill it is to taste the 2018 Cariad again. Last year the 2018 was magnificent. It is all that this year too. Powerful and explosive, the 2018 is captivating from the very first taste. Healthy dollops of Cabernet Franc and Merlot add layers to this deep, wonderfully vibrant Napa Valley red. In a big morning tasting at Colgin spanning more than a dozen wines, the 2018 Cariad was a stand out. Superb." - Antonio Galloni (Jan 2022)
98+ Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"Blended of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2018 Cariad Proprietary Red Wine has a deep purple-black color and slips out of the glass with the most seductive black fruit preserves notions of crème de cassis, blueberry pie and baked plums plus hints of Indian spices, lavender, mocha and licorice with a waft of cardamom. Full-bodied, rich, opulent and spicy, it delivers a wonderfully powerful expression of this vintage with firm yet plush tannins, finishing very long and hedonic." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Nov 2020)
"Blended of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2018 Cariad Proprietary Red Wine has a deep purple-black color and slips out of the glass with the most seductive black fruit preserves notions of crème de cassis, blueberry pie and baked plums plus hints of Indian spices, lavender, mocha and licorice with a waft of cardamom. Full-bodied, rich, opulent and spicy, it delivers a wonderfully powerful expression of this vintage with firm yet plush tannins, finishing very long and hedonic." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Nov 2020)
98 Points - James Suckling:
"Incredible aromas of blackcurrants, licorice, blackberries. black mushrooms, crushed stones, cement and flowers. Full-bodied with wonderfully polished, refined tannins. So long. Great tannin integration. Goes on for minutes. Rich. Best in 2025, but already so amazing to drink now." (Feb 2021)
"Incredible aromas of blackcurrants, licorice, blackberries. black mushrooms, crushed stones, cement and flowers. Full-bodied with wonderfully polished, refined tannins. So long. Great tannin integration. Goes on for minutes. Rich. Best in 2025, but already so amazing to drink now." (Feb 2021)
98 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2018 Cariad isn’t far off and has a wealth of blue fruits, musky earth, spice, and floral notes as well as a deep, rich, layered style on the palate. As with all the 2018s here, the tannin quality is incredible, and it has a plush, sexy, already complex style that’s hard to resist. It’s going to evolve for 25+ years. The blend is 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot." (1/27/2021)
97 Points - Wine Spectator:
"What a show of ripe, pure and unadorned fruit, with an immense core of cassis, warmed kirsch and black Mission fig paste flavors that glide through as they're given center stage, while beautifully integrated alder and warm earth notes flow underneath. There's serious drive for the long haul, with flickers of anise and violet darting in on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2022 through 2040. 735 cases made." - JM (Oct 2021)