ANTONIO GALLONI'S VINOUS MEDIA 92 POINTS - "Crown Point makes some of the most polished Cabernets in all of Santa Barbara County, wines that easily stand shoulder to shoulder with their much more expensive northern counterparts in Napa Valley. The 2022s are excellent. Winemaker Simon Faury shortened macerations, reduced time in barrel and reduced the percentage of new oak in order to counter the naturally richer, riper fruit and avoid extracting too much tannin. What strikes me most is how elegant these wines come across for being so packed with fruit concentration."
"The 2022 Relevant is a very polished wine for a difficult year. It's voluptuous in feel, layered with blackberry fruit, bittersweet chocolate, sweet pipe tobacco and dried herbs. Fermentation in concrete tank keeps things fresh. Powdery, cocoa-like tannins enshroud the finish, accented by a kiss of French oak spice."
JEB DUNNUCK 92 POINTS - "What could be considered the second wine of this estate, the 2022 Relevant is based on 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Merlot, aged 18 months in barrels with one-third new French oak. Ripe black fruits, graphite, chocolate, and background oak all emerge from this medium to full-bodied effort. It's round, mouth-filling, and incredibly satisfying, and while I like it today, particularly with a decant, it should keep for 10-12 years. Drink 2025-2037."
"The 2022 Relevant is a very polished wine for a difficult year. It's voluptuous in feel, layered with blackberry fruit, bittersweet chocolate, sweet pipe tobacco and dried herbs. Fermentation in concrete tank keeps things fresh. Powdery, cocoa-like tannins enshroud the finish, accented by a kiss of French oak spice."
JEB DUNNUCK 92 POINTS - "What could be considered the second wine of this estate, the 2022 Relevant is based on 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Merlot, aged 18 months in barrels with one-third new French oak. Ripe black fruits, graphite, chocolate, and background oak all emerge from this medium to full-bodied effort. It's round, mouth-filling, and incredibly satisfying, and while I like it today, particularly with a decant, it should keep for 10-12 years. Drink 2025-2037."
