2013 Bevan Cellars, Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard Proprietary Red, Napa Valley, Bottle (750ml)

RP99 "A blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, the 2013 Proprietary Red Sugarloaf Mountain comes from a cooler site in south Napa, above a quarry. It usually allows for a longer hang time, often lending a minty or herbal lift to the wine. Deep garnet in color, the nose is a little shut down at this stage, slowly opening to reveal dazzling scents of kirsch, baked black cherries, mulberries, charcoal and dusty soil with a touch of chocolate mint. Full-bodied, rich and seductive, it delivers a gorgeous, velvety texture with loads of spices coming through on the long, long, long finish. Give it another couple of years to emerge from its sleep, and drink it over the next two decades. 650 cases were made." LPB for WA Feb 2021

"As I wrote last year, Russell Bevan and his partner, Victoria de Cresenzo, are turning out truly mind-blowing, big, rich, majestic wines. Bevan Cellars has hit the bull’s eye with a bevy of incredible efforts that showcases fabulous vineyard sources. Many of these have not been exploited by others. A warning though – these are super-rich, dense, powerful, massive wines. While the tannins are elevated, they are silky and well-integrated, and the wines are neither heavy nor overbearing. Nor is Bevan afraid of alcohol, but he never goes over-the-top
In many respects, the impressively talented visionary Russell Bevan produces wines very much in his own bigger-than-life, boisterous image. With his serious insider knowledge, which gives him access to some great sources that other producers somehow have missed, he seems to magically transform his wines into personality-filled, savory, intensely flavored efforts, many of them truly world-class in quality. He’s been on a fabulous roll for the last five or six years, reaching his pinnacle of success, maybe even greatness, with his 2012s and 2013s." LPB for WA Feb 2021