Another St. Helena release, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Ceanda checks in as 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot and Merlot, all brought up in French oak. Black fruits, chocolaty herbs, graphite, violets, and acacia flower notes all emerge from the glass, and it hits the palate with a seamless, elegant texture, ultra-fine tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. I'd be thrilled to drink a bottle any time over the coming 20 years or more.

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon 29 Estate Ceanda is absolutely gorgeous. Medium in body and so refined, the Ceanda is wonderfully expressive today. Silky tannins and lifted aromatics lend finesse to a Cabernet that marries fruit richness with energy so well. The 2018 Ceanda is also a terrific example of the style at Vineyard 29 today, which represents a move away from the blockbuster, flamboyant wines of the past. All the elements are so nicely balanced. Ripe dark cherry, lavender, spice and menthol build into the delineated finish.

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon CEANDA is composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Merlot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it delivers expressive notions of blackberry pie, Black Forest cake and crème de cassis with hints of licorice, tar and Sichuan pepper plus a waft of wild sage. Full-bodied, the palate has a rock-solid, rugged structure of grainy tannins and plenty of freshness to support the black fruit preserves layers, finishing on a lingering aniseed note.