Napa’s Eleven Eleven Winery is back with a new Cabernet called XI: An “estate melange” of 11:11 and Destin Vineyards fruit: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 6% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot.
While bold and fully loaded with purple fruit — a mix of red and black berry notes — this Bordeaux style blend never feels overblown, despite overtones of chocolate syrup, vanilla, and cola. A layer of tannin nestles in to what could otherwise have been something of a monster in the fruit department, adding a little bitterness and some much-needed acidity to temper the blackberry and blueberry notes that settle in for the long haul. The enduring finish is touched with notes of allspice and a shot of cherry juice.
A- / $90 / elevenelevenwines.com
2020 Eleven Eleven XI Cabernet Sauvignon Oak Knoll District
$90
