Cain Cuvee NV16 Red Blend 750ml

The back label says it all: Harvested, Vinified, and Blended for Freshness, Lightness, Complexity and Balance. Our intention with the Cain Cuvée hasn’t wavered since the very first, more than thirty years ago. And in 1998, it became even more focused with the inception of blending two vintages.

The NV16 illustrates perfectly the way in which two vintages blended together can complement one another. 2015 was a moderately warm year with very low yields, while 2016 had higher yields and was cooler. 2016 gave us some lovely, light, perfumed wines, while 2015 plumps it up with roundness and warmth. The signature of the Cain Vineyard comes through clearly, while the vineyards in Rutherford, Oakville, and Carneros each contribute their part.

The result, NV16 Cain Cuvee, has a bouquet of raspberries, red cherries, forest, and earth, but the best is the palate. This one steps lightly and with elegance—mouthfilling without being heavy, it slips down easy to a delicate, clean finish. Exactly what we want.