TASTING NOTES:
This barrel sample of 2015 Soul Of A Lion is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc and 11% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it offers up a nose of crème de cassis, mocha, dusty soil and spice box. The rich, medium to full-bodied palate is all earthy/meaty/gamey at this primary stage, rich with firm, chewy tannins and finishing long with lovely expression. (92-94)
– Robert Parker, 94 pts
The 2015 Soul of a Lion is a blockbuster, and one of the finest wines from this estate to date. A blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot that spent 22 months in new barrel, it offers a Bordeaux-like bouquet (it reminds me of a great vintage of Leoville Las Cases) of crème de cassis, lead pencil shavings, spice, and cedar. Rich, full-bodied, layered, and powerful, it’s beautifully balanced and has no hard edges. Hide bottles for 2-3 years and enjoy over the following two decades.
– Jeb Dunnuck, 97+ pts
WINEMAKER’S NOTES:
The 2015 Soul of a Lion is a beautifully concentrated wine accompanied by tremendous elegance that incorporates some old world flavors due to the vintage’s characteristics. Endowed with beautiful purity and texture, it has all the standard classic Cabernet Sauvignon flavors that include Graphite, Lead Pencil Shavings, Blackcurrants and Ash. The higher percentage of Cabernet Franc in this vintage gives it a beautiful aroma and an additional elegant component that rounds it up for a very long finish. Drinking surprising well today, we expect it to shut down shortly for a few years just to be re-awakened for long term cellaring.
Blend: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc, 11% Petit Verdot