91 Points - Wine Spectator
91 Points - James Suckling
We recommend decanting for a few hours before enjoying.
Will age gracefully in the cellar for 15-20 years.
WINEMAKING
The 2018 Mancino Lanciatore is a stunning wine of power and concentration. Its name translated from Italian means "left-handed thrower" and is an ode to the proprietor, Thomas Leonardini, Sr. and several other left-handed Leonardinis. Upon hand harvesting in the early morning hours, our grapes were carefully destemmed and sent to tank for a whole-berry fermentation. The grapes were cold-soaked in tank at 45 degrees for 4-7 days, allowing for increased color, aroma, and flavor extraction. After inoculation, the grape must (juice, skins, and seeds) fermented at 82 degrees, which allowed for a hot extraction on the skins. For fermentation cap management, the juice was pumped over the skins two times per day, wetting the cap evenly for a nice healthy fermentation. After fermentation and pressing, the wine was sent to 60% new French oak, 40% neutral oak barrels, aging for 26 months. The final blend for the 2018 Mancino Lanciatore is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and was unfined and unfiltered.
VINTAGE
The 2018 vintage was a near perfect growing season! Bud break began in late March to early April, leading to a Spring that was mild and dry. Flowering proved to be long and gave way to a healthy set of uniform grape clusters. Summer was also quite warm and long, leading to a cooling effect near the end of the season and into Fall. Throughout the vineyard growing season, there were no heat spikes, and the temperatures were steady and even-keel. The consistent summer weather encouraged our Cabernet Sauvignon grapes to ripen in late mid-September to late October when they were in perfect balance. The fruit is from our Estate vineyards in Rutherford, St. Helena, and the Oak Knoll District appellations. This 2018 wine was made from hand-selected grapes from our Cabernet Sauvignon small blocks of clone 8, clone 4, clone 30, and clone 169.
Winemaker: Jason Moulton
Vintage: 2018
Appellation: 100% Napa Valley
Varietal Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol: 14.9%
92 Points
Aromas and robust flavors of dark cherry, blackberries, mocha, espresso and hints of black pepper. Incredibly balanced with a smooth mouthfeel and body against a backdrop of structured tannins. The wine unfolds with notes of clove and dried herbs, ending with a long rich finish.
Generously packed with exotic cassis, black cherry, cola and plum flavors knitted together in a creamy, velvety texture with nice layering, finishing with delightful notes of spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
Chewy & Ripe!
Dark purplish-black with aromas of ripe black plums, bacon, blackberry jam, and black tea. Dense, chewy and ripe across the palate with a nice mid-palate texture and weight. Rich, structured, and complex, with a long evolving finish.
Gold Medal
Aromas of white peach, melon, and orange blossom complemented by bright citrus and lemon zest. Notes of kiwi, pineapple, lemon, mango and papaya introduce a rich palate and a persistent mineral finish.
96 Points
Ripe, elegant, and juicy. Opens up with alluring aromas of red and black fruit with notes of roasted espresso, mocha, leather, mineral, fresh sage, savory spices, and cedar fill your glass.
98 Points, Best of Class
Super-Tuscan style blend offering aromas of ripe berries and black fruits, interwoven with hints of vanilla, caramel, raw tobacco, leather, clove, blood orange peel, and roasted walnuts. Rich and generous flavors of briary blackberry, dark cherry, ripe plum and cassis.
94 Points
Kirsch, ripe plum and bramble with an undercurrent of star anise and toffee. Earthy, with wild blueberry and classic dusty character, balanced by fine tannins and fresh acidity.
Deep ruby in color this wine is bountiful, juicy and structured. Blueberry, black cherry and wild blackberry, framed by notes of sweet licorice, violets, sage and bay leaf. Impeccably balanced with fine dusty tannins hint at a long life ahead in the cellar.
Crisp & Refreshing
Aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of fresh herb and pomegranate. Though packed with fruit, this Rosé finishes dry, with a nice balanced finish.
Plush & Velvety
Aromas of wild berries are interlaced with nuances of fresh lavender, dark chocolate truffle, baking spices, and cigar box, with generous flavors of ripe blackberry, blueberry, dark cherry and fresh currants are layered with hints of cocoa, cassis, allspice, and wild sage.
95 Points
Cherry blossom and raspberry over fresh pomegranate with subtle touches of dried violet and lavender, with notes of spice that carry through to its silky layers, juicy red core, and velvety fine-grained tannins. Embodies bright, high-toned fruit, generous round body, and a silky refined finish.
94 Points
Deep garnet in color from the ripe 2018 vintage, with open aromas of lush fruit – plum, blackberry, and cherry, and notes of cedar, vanilla, and white pepper. Across the palate it's quite seamless and silky, rich and concentrated. The fruit flavors are bold and vibrant. Mouth-filling with smooth tannins, great texture and a long delicious finish.
Excellent, Great Value!
Aromas of rich cherry, black currant, dark plums, with hints of lightly toasted vanilla, mint and crushed slate. The concentrated flavors further integrate with blackberries, tobacco, anise and earthiness with a balanced oak profile, layered palette, leaving you with its delightful finish.
Big, Bold & Juicy!
Bountiful, lavish and plush with aromas of plum, bramble berry, mocha, cedar, and red currant. Loaded with dark fruit, the mouth is full with a mix of red and dark berry, with notes of dark on the end. There is a touch of espresso, ripe black cherry, and petrichor. Nicely framed by generous French oak.
Rich & Plush!
Notes of ripe plum, sweet maple-cured bacon, lavender, five-spice, and blueberry. The palate is lush with cherry pipe tobacco, blackberry, raspberry held together by mineral overtones and fresh acidity.
Pure, delicious, vibrant with aromas of white peach and wild white plum on the nose, followed by ripe Persian lime, jasmine high times, tart green apple, and crisp star fruit. The mouth centers in with pomelo and ginger lime leading into a mid-palate of fresh squeezed lime over papaya and lime zest on top of light lemon curd.
Rich & Luxurious!
Beautiful ruby color and opens with aromas of bright red plum and raspberry, cassis, and a touch of mint. The tannins are soft yet structured, and complemented by vibrant acidity, with hints of clove and baking spice from the oak aging. The wine ends with a long, smooth finish and lingering intensity encouraging you to enjoy another juicy sip.
Modern, Sexy & Full
Aromas of wild blackberries and blueberries interwoven with enchanting notes of fresh mint, lavender, roasted walnut, savory spices, and a captivating hint of dark chocolate drizzled with fine balsamic. Notes of plum, blueberry and cassis with hints of wild sage, licorice, black pepper, and an elegant touch of fine-grained oak.
94 Points
Lovely aromas of crushed blueberry, red and blue plum, dried violet flower. It's juicy and engaging, with mulled raspberry coursing through and offers balance and depth with perfect levels of acidity with silky tannins leading to a long engaging finish.
93 Points
This elegant Merlot greets the nose with rich aromas of chocolate, maraschino cherry and violets, followed by a lush mouth feel with layers of blackberry, currant, and a touch of caramel, cassis and white pepper. Its decadent flavors combine with soft and supple tannins to create a long silky smooth finish.
Jam & Spice!
Elegant, plush, and backed by power and grace. The nose pushes notes of blackberry and mocha, sweet maple-cured bacon, lavender, spice, and blueberry. The palate is lush with pipe tobacco, boysenberry held together by subtle pepper spice.
PDF