Band of Vintners Consortium Cabernet 2016 | Changing the Rules on Quality & Real Value
93WA | Band of Vintners Consortium Cabernet 2016 displays dark and inky with a crimson core. Packed with black fruit aromas from blackberry, black currants, and cherries to hints of new leather and mocha. While emerging on the mid-palate are notes of cedar, dusty cocoa, and vanilla spice. Balanced at the core with plush and polished tannins. Perfect for early enjoyment, and can surely cellar for another 5 to 7 years. Plus according to the winery, this beautifully structured wine could even surpass a decade in the cellar if kept well.
The Band | High-quality Napa Cab
Band of Vintners evolved from a monthly tasting group of seven Napa Valley tastemakers. Initially, four winemakers, a sommelier, wine executive, and wine importer, each highly regarded among their peers for their contributions to the wine profession. Together, they pooled their resources, talents, and relationships. And accessing some of Napa Valley’s best, sustainably-farmed fruit and all the winemaking necessities to get their wine into the bottle. The result is Consortium, a delicious symphony of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon at a price that is music to everyone’s ear.
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The Band of Vintners Consortium Cabernet 2016 is the result. With Petroski at the vanguard, the group is just hitting its stride: 2014 was their first vintage. While 2015 was a breakout bottling. And Decanter recently did a laudatory piece on the Band. As a result, calling their Cabernet “the opposite of those ($200-per-bottle) ego projects” that are constantly popping up in Napa Valley. Hence, we expect the many clients who jumped all over our first offer of Band of Vintners to act quickly. For those who have not yet experienced the fruits of these seven formidable wine professionals—who are even more decorated than they were a year ago—2016 is a great place to start.
Winemaker of the Year Dan Petroski
Bandleader and 100-point Parker winemaker Dan Petroski was named 2017 SF Chronicle Winemaker of the Year! Petroski, of Massican and Larkmead, winemaker Stéphane Vivier of Hyde de Villaine, and Master Sommelier and Harlan alumnus Jason Heller have once again deployed their off-the-charts skills and sturdy Napa ties to craft an absurdly over-delivering Napa Valley Cabernet. And 2016 is going to be the year to lock-in. Even Antonio Galloni of Vinous has gushed of the “dazzling aromatic presence, finesse and nuance” of the vintage. The Band of Vintners Consortium Cabernet 2016 was aged in French oak for 15 months, delivering tons and tons of black fruit, mixed with complex mocha, cedar, and vanilla spice.
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Leave it to SF Chronicle’s most recent Winemaker of the Year to actually pull it off. So, Dan Petroski and his accomplished friends founded a winemaking project on the noble goals of high quality and good value. Yet again delivering the goods in spectacular fashion. It should not be much of a surprise that Band of Vintners stands apart. As the group is stocked with seasoned pros well-versed in every step required to take standout Cabernets. While on the winemaking end, there’s little they can’t source. Finally, On the business end, there’s little they can’t streamline.
