Sloan Estate Sloan 2016 750ml

The 2018 Sloan is a flat out stunner. Rich, dramatic and full-bodied, with striking energy, the 2018 is viscerally thrilling right out of the gate. Black cherry, plum, mocha, licorice and gravel all build as this towering, statuesque Cabernet shows off its pedigree. The 2018 is simply magical, and just as breathtaking from bottle as it was as a barrel sample last year. It is the very finest Sloan I have ever tasted. I can’t wait to see how it ages. (Antonio Galloni)

Moving to the grand vin, the 2016 Proprietary Red is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon with the balance Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Tasting like a mix of the 2013 and 2014 with its incredible elegance and power, it reveals a deep purple hue as well as extraordinary notes of crème de cassis, crushed violets, lead pencil, and unsmoked tobacco. Ethereally textured, seamless, and full-bodied, it builds incrementally on the palate and is a monster of a wine that somehow stays light, graceful and elegant. It should hit maturity after a decade of cellaring and be a 40- to 50-year wine. (Jeb Dunnuck)

I compared the 2018 Proprietary Red to a great vintage of Mouton Rothschild from barrel and I’m still happy with that comparison now from bottle. Sporting a dense purple hue as well as gorgeous aromatics of blackcurrants, chocolate, espresso, tobacco leaf, charcoal, and gravelly earth, this big, full-bodied, concentrated, tannic wine is flawlessly balanced, incredibly precise, and as pure and classy as they come. It needs to be forgotten for at least 5–7 years and will have 30–40 years of overall longevity. Bravo to the team at Sloan for another magical wine. (Jeb Dunnuck)

The 2014 Sloan is a terrific example of the vintage at its best. Mocha, espresso, grilled herbs, leather, smoke and licorice are al fused together in this super-expressive, nuanced wine. In 2014, the Sloan is not as exuberant or rich as it can be, but that is really not an issue at all. The 2014 is a gorgeous wine in the making, that’s all there is to it. (Antonio Galloni)

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2014 Proprietary Red needs a little coaxing to reveal slowly unfurling notions of warm black cherries, mulberries, redcurrants and blackberry compote with touches of licorice, tapenade, chargrill and scorched earth. Full-bodied, firm, grainy and packed with layers of black fruits and savory flavors, it has a firm, grainy backbone of very ripe tannins and tons of vivacity, finishing very long.

The 2013 Proprietary Red Sloan is from the same 13 acres of estate vineyard. Typical of the vintage, it is spectacular, inky purple and massive, with unbelievably ripe fruit and a vibrancy and delineation that is breathtaking — given the richness and massiveness of this wine that is a true long-term prospect. It needs 5–6 years of further bottle age and should easily last 30–35 years. The notes of black truffle, charcoal, incense, blackberry and cassis fruit are followed by a full-bodied, stunningly proportioned wine that is loaded, incredibly pure and well-delineated. It is a killer effort from Sloan and probably capable of matching their great efforts in 2001, 2002 and 2007.

A blend of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller proportions of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the 2018 Proprietary Red displays and deep, vibrant garnet-purple color. Baked plums, blackberry pie, crème de cassis and toasty oak notes leap from the glass, followed by hints of tilled soil, Indian spices, mocha and crushed rocks. Big, full-bodied, opulent and velvety, it has a solid structure and a very long, seductively spicy finish.

Black cherry jam, sweet spices, leather, mint and tobacco open up in the 2012 Sloan. Today the 2012 is succulent and super-expressive, with myriad of shades of dark red cherry, pomegranate, spice and new leather that develop. The flavors are deep and bold, with tons of vintage 2012 voluptuousness allied to significant palate presence. This is an especially exotic, unctuous Cabernet Sauvignon that pushes ripeness to the edge. All the elements are in the right place. Readers who enjoy modern, racy Napa Valley Cabernets will find much to admire in the 2012. (Antonio Galloni)

The 2016 Sloan is dazzling. Soft and unctuous with no hard edges, the 2016 Sloan is just as impressive from bottle as it was from barrel. Sweet red plum, blood orange, spice, menthol and licorice are all melded together in a gorgeous, racy Cabernet Sauvignon that hits all the right notes. Unlike most top 2016s, Sloan can be enjoyed with minimal cellaring, although its true potential will only be unlocked with at least a few years in bottle. Spice, star anise, pomegranate and sweet red cherry overtones add an exotic flair. (Antonio Galloni)

This is a barrel sample blended of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, to be bottled the first week of February 2019. Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Proprietary Red opens with fragrant notions of candied violets, chocolate box and baking spices with a core of blackcurrant cordial, preserved plums and blackberry compote with touches of garrigue and menthol. Full-bodied, rich and packed with black fruits sparked by tons of cinnamon and cloves accents, it has a firm, velvety-textured frame and great freshness, finishing with epic persistence.

A huge, backward wine, the 2013 Sloan is deep, powerful and explosive, with huge dark fruit and tons of torrefaction, licorice and menthol notes that add gravitas. Readers will have to be patient with the 2013. All the pedigree of this great vintage is evident, but the tannins need time to soften. At times, the 2013 reminds me of the 2001.

Owned by the Chinese Pan family, but still featuring Michel Rolland as its winemaking consultant, the 2012 Proprietary Red Blend Sloan has turned out beautifully. The vintage gives it a precocious silkiness that is atypical. A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it showcases this fabulous terroir on the steep hillsides of the Vaca mountains, behind the luxury resort of Auberge du Soleil. The 2012 offers up beautiful notes of blueberries, blackberries, cedarwood, graphite, espresso, licorice and chocolate along with copious quantities of glycerin and fruit. This is a big, surprisingly savory and fleshy effort from Sloan that comes closest stylistically to their magnificent 2002. It can be drunk now but will be even better in 7–8 years, and should keep for 25–30 years.

Medium to deep garnet colored with a touch of purple, the 2011 Proprietary Red is a little youthfully closed, the nose slowly revealing beautiful lilacs and lavender scents with a core of blackcurrant cordial, blueberry pie and raspberry preserves plus wafts of oolong tea and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is gracefully expressed with stacks of mineral, floral and black fruit layers and a firm, grainy frame, finishing long with lingering earthy sparks. So wonderfully elegant.

A big, rich Sloan with chocolate, walnut, meat, cherry and plum. It’s full-bodied and very layered with intensity and richness. Very ripe, but remains solid and focused. A touch of alcohol on the finish. Still needs time. Try after 2024.

Coming from a cooler, challenging vintage that was harvested mostly in October, the 2011 Proprietary Red is another Bordeaux-like effort (as are many 2011s from Napa) with a pretty nose of sweet currants, tobacco leaf, baking chocolate, and forest floor. Despite the cooler vintage, this certainly doesn't lack depth or concentration, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with ripe, nicely integrated tannins and outstanding length. Drink this complex, nuanced, layered 2011 over the coming 10-15 years.

The 2011 Sloan Estate has turned out beautifully. Readers will find more of an Old World flavor profile and sense of structure in the 2011, yet all the elements are very nicely balanced. Savory herbs, crushed flowers, lavender, mint and mocha all add lift to the perfumed dark red cherry fruit in this gracious, super-expressive Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine. The great sites always come through, even in the most difficult of vintages. I remember visiting Sloan Estate during the 2011 harvest and seeing first hand the attention to detail here. It’s no surprise the 2011 has turned out quite nicely. (Antonio Galloni)