2016 Bevan "Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend
SKU #1405551
98 points
Wine Advocate
Sugarloaf is a cooler site in south Napa, above a quarry. It usually allows for a longer hang time, often lending a minty or herbal lift to this label. The deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Proprietary Red Sugarloaf Mountain is composed of 55% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. It races out of the glass with gregarious notions of red and black currant preserves, beef drippings and wild sage, plus hints of chocolate box, pencil shavings and raspberry leaves. The blockbuster, full-bodied palate is densely laden with black and red berry layers, framed by firm, grainy tannins and compelling freshness, finishing with an herbal lift on the finish. (LPB)
(2/2021)
97 points
Jeb Dunnuck
Based on 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot, the 2016 Proprietary Red Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard was brought up all in new French oak, which has been absorbed beautifully. With terrific intensity in its blue fruits and floral aromatics, this terrific 2016 is full-bodied, powerful, and layered, with ultra-fine tannins that emerge with time in the glass. It has the purity and elegance of the vintage front and center, yet backs it up with both texture and depth. In short, it’s another rock star wine from this estate.
(1/2019)
96 points
Vinous
The 2016 Proprietary Red Sugarloaf Mountain is built on lifted aromatics and more of a mid-weight sense of structure than is found in the other wines of the range. Sage, crème de cassis, menthol, lavender, mint and dark fruit are all nicely layered. Gracious and light on its feet (that is not a typo), with gorgeous perfume from the Franc, the Proprietary Red is distinctive and incredibly inviting. (AG)
(12/2018)
K&L Notes
Antonio Galloni - Vinous: "This is a knock-out set of wines from Russell Bevan. The 2016s are rich and sumptuous, as all of his wines are, and yet they also convey the essence of site. Speaking of vineyards, Bevan now owns or controls a number of top-notch sites that inform these wines... Readers should expect unapologetically rich, full-throttle Cabernets." (10/2018)