2017 Freemark Abbey Sycamore Cabernet Sauvignon

97 POINTS

James Suckling

Mint, spearmint, dark-berry and blueberry aromas. Leaves and sage, too. Full-bodied and firm with fantastic depth. Cool fruit with menthol and mint. Spice. Refreshing. Firm tannins. Fantastic 2017.

96 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Sycamore is dense and authoritative. Sycamore is a bit warmer and less vigorous than Bosché. The site naturally yields smaller berries that produce a Cabernet endowed with tons of sumptuousness, breadth and power. Ripe red cherry, red plum, licorice, menthol, spice, graphite and dried herbs infuse the Sycamore with tremendous complexity. It is such a gorgeous and complete wine.

95 POINTS

Virginie Boone - Wine Enthusiast

This deeply colored Cabernet sees small additions of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. It is soft and supple, with red fruit at its core. A mix of cherry and currant play well against the savory components and graceful structure.

95 POINTS

Gary Walsh - The Wine Front

Rutherford. I really like Napa Cabernet.... A subscription to The Wine Front is needed to read reviews and scores. Either log in if you are an existing subscriber, or consider joining via our subscription page - HERE. If you're an existing member who's subscription has expired, then please check your account status HERE. Thank you.

95 POINTS

Gary Walsh - The Wine Front

Rutherford. I really like Napa Cabernet. It’s all about the quality of tannin, which in some respects, I think, trumps Bordeaux. Sycamore planted in the mid 70s,and raised in 74% new oak for 27 months. So, that sort of wine. I’d love to see less oak, because the fruit is so good, but here we are. Powerful, dense and packed with ferrous and graphite tannin. Blackberry, dark chocolate and coffee, menthol and spice, vanilla and dried herbs, and yes, quite a lot of oak, but the fruit soaks it up. So much chew to tannin, all coffee and tobacco savoury stuff, rich dark fruit, raspberry coulis, very firm with a liquid ‘mineral’ feel, and a long fresh finish. Kind of overt and showy, but the quality of tannin is superb. Potent Napa Cabernet here, that needs plenty of time in the cellar.

94 POINTS

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Sycamore Vineyards was aged for 27 months in French oak barrels, 74% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose features compelling notions of crème de cassis, blueberry compote and boysenberries with suggestions of black olives, fragrant earth and fallen leaves plus a waft of Indian spices. Medium to full-bodied, taut, muscular and packed with black fruit layers, it has a solid structure of firm, grainy tannins, delivering a long, refreshing finish. 2,100 cases were made.

91 POINTS

Decanter

An elegant and restrained style with blackcurrant, even redcurrant, fresh acid and supple tannins. The finish is long with vanilla and savoury notes

91 POINTS

Decanter

An elegant and restrained style with blackcurrant, even redcurrant, fresh acid and supple tannins. The finish is long with vanilla and savoury notes Judges: Michelle Cherutti-Kowal MW, James Doidge MW, Stefan Neumann MS