2019 Forman Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Library Release)

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley offers a classic, old school Napa Cabernet nose of darker currants, green tobacco, spring flowers, camphor, and new leather. As with the 2018, it plays in a more medium to full-bodied, elegant style, has ripe yet certainly present tannins, and a great finish. The 2019 is more accessible and open than the 2018 and should continue drinking brilliantly for another two decades if stored correctly.

Despite the season being slightly cooler than average, the 2019 Forman Cab is a bold, forward expression of this site. The palate is bursting with rich crème de cassis, blackberry, dark chocolate, new leather, exotic spice, and mountain herbs. The lush fruit is nicely delineated by fine, polished tannins, giving the wine wonderful clarity and purity. This is such an attractive, expressive wine. It can be enjoyed now with a 30-minute decant but also has a decade of upside in the cellar, perhaps more. A suave and sophisticated Forman with a touch more polish than I typically see from this rugged mountain estate.