| Producer | Continuum Estate |
| Country | United States |
| Region | California |
| Subregion | Napa Valley |
| Varietal | Red Blend |
| Vintage | 2010 |
| Sku | 18424 |
| Size | 750ml |
This has been an impressive, serious wine since the debut vintage, and Tim Mondavi's estate high on Pritchard Hill has fashioned a 2010 blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 11% Petit Verdot and 4% Merlot. Gorgeously ripe, intricate and nuanced, with aromas of spring flowers and red and black fruits, a stunning texture, sweet tannin, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and undeniable elegance and finesse, this complex beauty cascades over the palate without a hard edge to be found. It is a tribute to Mondavi-s long resume of skillful winemaking. Black currants, blueberries and a touch of raspberries are all compelling and persistent. Drink this gorgeous Napa red now and over the next 15+ years.
A blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 11% Petit Verdot, and 4% Merlot, the 2010 Continuum was produced with 92% of the fruit from Pritchard Hill, with small amounts from Mt. Veeder and Diamond Mountain. It is deep garnet in color and opens with gentle notes of dried herbs and flowers, before giving way to notions of redcurrant jelly, cherry pie, and raspberry coulis, with a waft of pencil shavings. Medium-bodied, the palate is lively and refreshing, with bags of crunchy red fruit and fine-grained tannins, finishing long and minerally.
With a few years in bottle, the 2010 Continuum is starting to show the first signs of complexity. Dark red and purple-hued, the 2010 is laced with violets, lavender, smoke, sage and mint. The late season heat spike give the fruit an extra level of juiciness, but the tannins are those of a cool year and the mountain site. Ideally, readers will be able to cellar the 2010 for another few years.
An enticing, graceful style, this achieves a deft balance and refined dark berry, cedar and black licorice notes that linger on the finish as the tannins gain traction and grip.
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