Taplin 'Terra 9' Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 St. Helena

This is one of the best Cabernets we tasted in the last month that was under $100 and the price for this new release is $69 per bottle. Taplin Estate is contiguous with the legendary Lewelling Vineyard in St Helena and proprietor Stephen Taplin’s family has been a part of the Napa Valley landscape since 1871.  Winemaker Julien Fayard crafted this Cabernet beautifully. Aromas of black stone fruits and dark chocolate with a hint of cigar box fill the glass. This full-bodied Cabernet has a mouthfeel that is rich, ripe and smooth with fine, velvety tannins. Julien Fayard left a few years ago as the head of winemaking for Atelier Melka for twelve years overseeing such winemaking projects as Hundred Acre, Vineyard 29, Lail and Gemstone. He is now on his own making wine for wineries including Purlieu and Covert. 350 cases were produced.