2012 Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon [JS99][WA98][JD98][D95][V94][WS93] WINE

“Mind-blowing aromas of dark fruits, forest flower, pine needles and Asian mushroom. Black olives too. Full body and very fine tannins, elegant and refined. It goes on for minutes. Breathtaking. Burgundian in uniqueness and texture. Perfect now. Drink or hold.” 

“Bryant’s flagship wine, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon from the estate vineyard on Pritchard Hill offers a rare but magnificent forest floor/floral aromatic profile with lavishly rich, ripe notes of crème de cassis, blueberry and black raspberry liqueur. Fleshy, opulent, full-bodied and multidimensional, it conceals some significant tannins behind its wealth of extract and fruit. From a first-growth quality, hillside vineyard (13 acres), this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is gorgeously pure as well as impeccably well-balanced with a seamless integration of tannin, acidity, alcohol and wood. In fact, the new oak component, which is significant, is largely obliterated by the wine’s stunning fruit. This majestic Cabernet Sauvignon should age effortlessly for 25-30 years.” 

Jeb Dunnuck, 98 Points 

“As is the case with most top 2012s, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon from Bryant Family is drinking brilliantly today. This incredible wine will stop anyone who loves Cabernet in their tracks. A dense purple color is followed by gorgeous red, blue, and black fruits, and it has wonderful complexity in its spring flowers, violets, forest floor, and spice-driven aromas and flavors. Showing subtle background oak, full-bodied richness, and sweet tannins, this flawlessly balanced, heavenly Napa Cabernet can be drunk any time over the coming 20-30 years.” 

Decanter, 95 Points 

“This vintage was known for producing rather soft, even facile wines, but that is not the case here. The nose is simply gorgeous, with lush smoky aromas of blackcurrants, violets and mocha. Very rich and concentrated, this is also tight and spicy, with explosive blackcurrant fruit and good underlying acidity. In its prime but will surely keep.” 

Vinous, 94 Points 

“Very ripe aromas of currant, cherry, spices, sage and graphite. Wonderfully sweet, silky wine with a chocolatey aspect to its liqueur-like dark fruit flavors. This plush young Cabernet struck me as remarkably accessible following the ’10 and ’11 vintages but it will need time in bottle to lose some of its baby fat and gain in nuance. Finishes very long and a touch warm, with a sizable tannic structure to support at least mid-term aging.” 

“Rustic and pleasantly chewy, this offers a rich, extracted core of dusty currant and blackberry flavors, ending with a stream of gravel, anise, tar and cedar notes. Drink now through 2028.”