By Meteor Vineyard
Perseid Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2016

Wine Notes
Meteor Vineyard Perseid Cabernet Sauvignon marries the elements of our clonally diverse planting in one singularly expressive wine. Meteor Vineyard is a collaborative project of vineyard proprietor Barry Schuler and longtime Napa Valley winemakers Bill and Dawnine Dyer. Located on a knoll in Napa Valley, our unique combination of elevation, aspect, and stony, rich volcanic soil produces some of Napa Valley's most distinctive Cabernet Sauvignon. The seamless combination of richness, balance, purity, and structure makes 2016 truly distinctive.

Wine Details
Grapes: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Aging: Aged 22 months in French oak, 70% new
Clones: 41% Clone 7, 45% Clone 4, 14% Clone 337
TA: 7.4 g/l
pH: 3.78
Retail: $175/bottle

From Winemaker Dawnine Dyer
Rich and expressive, the 2016 Perseid Cabernet Sauvignon is packed with aromatics of ripe blackberries, red currants, currant leaves, oolong tea, warm, sweet tobacco, and just a hint of dark roast coffee. The palate is pure fruit with a firm acidity that harmonizes with the fruit, creating a mouthwatering impression. Long, lingering, and immediately satisfying, the ample tannins play a supporting role in the flavors. Easily accessible, 2016 is a classic vintage for Meteor.

From Vineyard Manager Mike Wolf
2016 marked the end of a string of very dry winters, with over 35 inches of rainfall. Early season weather was very moderate, encouraging good, even canopy development, while ample late rains and mild temperatures reduced irrigation needs and allowed for slow, even development of the fruit. Both the vines and fruit at Meteor were in perfect condition to handle the warm weather during the last week of July and for a few days in early September. Harvest occurred between 9/19 and 9/22, avoiding what was, in many cases, a third and damaging heat wave. All harvesting was done at night, resulting in the fruit arriving at the winery at dawn in great condition. Yields of around 3 tons per acre were in line with historical averages. The 2016 Perseid will be remembered as the 5th in a string of remarkable vintages for Meteor.

From Estate Director Eric Smith
It's hard to overstate the quality of the 2016 vintage. Armed with power and structure and elevated with finesse and style, the duality of this wine is simply seductive. Piercingly dark, with bright spice on the nose, the 2016 unfolds like a film noir on the palate, almost hauntingly. Lavender, blue fruit, Madagascar cocoa, and tobacco leaf are cosseted by silky tannins and balanced acidity. This will easily cruise on autopilot for the next 25+ years but is surprisingly open and energetic now. Decant and enjoy today.
[Information provided by Miller Squared]

Wine: Meteor Vineyard 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Perseid
Score/Rating: 95
Suggested Drinking Window: 2021 - 2031
Review Date: 09/2018
Reviewed By: Antonio Galloni
Tasting Notes: Meteor's 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Perseid is very pretty, and, dare I say it, understated for a wine that in the past has been much more about impact than finesse. Inky, powerful and voluptuous in the glass, the Perseid is simply gorgeous today. Dark red cherry, plum, cedar, smoke and tobacco all build in the glass. The 2016 is a sensual, mysterious Cabernet, and yet my impression is that it will be even better in another few years' time. This is one of the better vintages of the Perseid I can remember tasting, and certainly the most elegant.

Wine: 2016 Meteor Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Perseid
Score/Rating: 92
Suggested Drinking Window: 2018 - 2033
Review Date: 12/13/2018
Reviewed By: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Tasting Notes: The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Perseid is deep garnet-black in color with cassis, kirsch, redcurrants and blackberries on the nose plus cedar, cigars, earth and bay leaves notes. The palate is medium-bodied and lively with firm, grainy tannins and juicy acidity, finishing long.