Nichols Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 | Britt Nichols best wine ever!
Nichols Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 is deep ruby purple. With striking blackcurrant and ripe blackberry aromas lift out the glass. Yet, after a gentle swirl, the bouquet unveils more layers of dark fruit, followed by graphite, earth, and dark chocolate. While, on entry this is a serious wine, bursting with the classic characteristics of the estate fruit. In addition — rich, dense, powerful — yet the mid-palate is all about lift. Most of all, juicy acidity and freshness cut through chewy tannins to add mouthwatering flare. Earth and fresh tobacco accents come through adding complexity. Finally, the finish is long and satisfying with Madagascar vanilla bean, espresso, and cedar. Hence, drink this now if you must, but expect increasing returns for 15-20 years. Winemaker Britt Nichols delivers yet another amazing value.
No time to think twice!
Britt Nichols has made her best wine ever. Most of al, that’s the essence of the Nichols Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2015. Of course, as Britt told us, “It all starts in the vineyard. And what a vineyard it is. While the Nichols Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 was sourced from one of the Valley’s Grand Cru Estates. A Napa First Growth if there ever was one. Notably where 99-100 point scores are almost commonplace and the Cabernet Sauvignon frequently soars above $400 per bottle.
Britt went up to this legendary winery in the hills above St. Helena and brought back 8 barrels of estate-grown Cabernet. In addition, she finished, racked, then aged in 100% new French oak for an additional 20 months creating a masterpiece. Hence, thinking about what this wine is and what it compares to, $34 per bottle is a drop in the bucket. No time to think twice.
Let the vines do the talking
When we met Britt to taste the Nichols Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, she already had it in a decanter. The wine was glistening a deep ruby purple. Yet, that day there were no burgers ordered, no ribeye or American wagyu flat-iron steaks. Rather just two glasses and an unctuous wedge of black truffle pecorino. “This is all we’re going to need,” said Britt. And she was right.
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While a healthy four-ounce pour from the decanter revealed striking blackcurrant and ripe blackberry aromas. Yet even before we even brought the glass to our noses. After drawing it in, the bouquet unveiled more layers of dark fruit, followed by graphite and dark chocolate. While on entry we felt its seriousness and the classic characteristics of the estate fruit. Consequently rich, dense, powerful — yet the mid-palate was all about lift. Most of all, juicy acidity and freshness cut through chewy tannins to add mouthwatering flare.
“Sounds about right,” Britt laughed. “The juice was so gorgeous when I got it, I really didn’t have to do too much. While, those are my favorite wines, not because they make my job easier, but because they are the earth’s greatest expressions. Most of all, a great winemaker, in my opinion, lets the vines do the talking.” Next, to the pecorino, earth and fresh tobacco accents came through, adding complexity. The finish was long and satisfying with Madagascar vanilla bean, espresso, and cedar. All we could do was smile. “It’s like gold-covered chocolate. Or maybe chocolate-covered gold,” we managed.
Winemaker Britt Nichols
Winemaker Britt Nichols has more pedigree than many winemakers twice her age, with time spent at Jordan Winery and alongside legends Nicolas Morlet and Philippe Melka. Like those of her mentors, Britt’s Cabernets are deep in color, rich, and intensely concentrated. Yet unlike all too many Napa Valley Cabernets, these are also wines of great class, sleekness, and polish.