At first a bit reticent and brooding, with a swirl and a breath of air the 2017 Staglin Cabernet awakens into an energetic cascade of red and black fruit deepened by dollops of earth, resinous woods and pinched herbs. An opening blast of tar inflected boysenberry and black cherry glides into a granular mid-palate of star anise-infused cassis and molasses-drizzled warm figs complexed with notes of camphor, seasoned alder and hint of hyssop that’s surprisingly approachable, finely-grained and imminently enjoyable now.
— Winemaker’s notes