Continuum 2021 Proprietary Red   

2021 Continuum Sage Mountain Vineyard Napa Valley
San Francisco Wine Panel 99 Points
Youthful as it no doubt is, this wine already pours forth aromas of truly gorgeous elegance. Violet, blueberry, pomegranate syrup and black raspberry fruits are at center stage, while notes of mace, mincemeat, baking spice, sweet tobacco leaf and dark red rose join the fruit to rise above barely-submerged mineral strains. Everything proves extremely rich and strikingly supple on the palate, yet the fruit is piquantly fresh, so an otherwise plush mouthfeel is counterpointed by iron ore-like minerality, zest and silky yet notable tannins. At the end, the wines diamond-like polish and internal tension project the fruit into the forefront, where the violet and berry notes find a racy, seductive harmony with the pretty savory counterpoints. The finish, like all that came before, seems youthfully understated yet is gorgeous, ultra supple and lingering. Entirely appealing right now, this stunner may be five to ten years from its apogee and it will be no surprise if it finds true greatness, given a bit of cellar-time.

98-100 points Lisa-Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "This note is written before the final blend of the 2021 Continuum. Deep purple-black in color, it hits the ground running with an intense nose of red and black currant preserves, lilacs, baker's chocolate, and graphite, leading to an undercurrant of black olives and red loam. On the medium to full-bodied palate it is very lively, grainy and super-concentrated, finishing long and shimmery. Drink: 2028-2060. (6/7/23)"

99 points James Suckling: "Blackberries, dark wet soil and blackcurrants. Graphite, too. So aromatic. Pure fruit. Full-bodied with superbly polished, fine tannins that draw you down through the center of palate. Extremely layered and the texture is so curated, giving wonderful persistence. Real plushness and fine, velvety texture. 50% cabernet sauvignon, 37% cabernet franc, 7% petit verdot and 6% merlot. Better after 2026. (3/6/24)"

99 points Joe Czerwinski (Wine Advocate): "Continuum's 2019 Proprietary Red is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot and 6% Merlot, all from the estate vineyard on Pritchard Hill. Aged in two-thirds new French oak, with the balance in second or third-use barrels and a single concrete amphora, it's remarkably dark in hue, a deep, saturated purple in the glass. On the nose, it's floral and herbal yet fruit-driven, with violets, sage and bay leaf adding nuance to black cherries, while the palate is full-bodied, plush and silky. There's an enticing yin-yang to the interplay between high-toned herbals and bass notes of dark chocolate in this dense, concentrated effort that finishes lush and long. It's a magnificent wine that should drink well for at least two decades. Drink: 2025-2045. (May 2022)"