I first learned of Shibumi Knoll after meeting the late founder, Don Ross, with friend and mentor, Leslie Rudd. Don had just released his Chardonnay that became a cult wine almost immediately after wine critics tasted it. His estate Cabernet Sauvignon I soon tasted after and thought it was outstanding. This 2017 comes from their estate 1-acre vineyard in St. Helena. Its neighbors are the famed grower vineyard, Panek Vineyard and Chuck McMinn’s Vineyard 29 Aida property. Thomas Rivers Brown has been their full-time winemaker since the 2009 vintage, which at the time, was before he began consulting for numerous properties. David Abreu farms the vineyard and has since the beginning. This current offering Thomas explains as “intense and delicious. It’s bold, with a nose depicting that of our Napa terroir.” Notes of blackcurrant, black fruit, plum and subtle spice box are layered with secondary notes of terroir. The texture is smooth with a long mouth feel. 125 cases were produced.