2016 Robert Craig Affinity Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

• Decadent Hedonism
• One of the best from Coombsville
• "Consistently Excellent", Robert Parker
• 98 Point Vintage, Wine Advocate
• Free Shipping on 12 or more bottles

About the Wine

Robert Craig's ‘Affinity’ is a Bordeaux-style, blended Cabernet Sauvignon resplendent with ripe red and black berries, walnuts, dark chocolate and a hint of cloves. Full-bodied and brooding, this wine will charm you with its depth and concentration, it’s exuberance of luscious black raspberries and blackcurrants bound with aromas of licorice, incense and spice box. With a humble price that belies its substance, this wine is living proof that great taste and good value are not mutually exclusive.

Robert Craig's 2016 Napa 'Affinity' owes its considerable structure to early bud break, extended hang time, and a third year of major drought which led to some of the smallest berries ever grown at La Londe. The result is plenty of meaty tannins and a silky finish. This one's a keeper that will only get better with age.

'Affinity' is a 100% estate grown, single-vineyard bottling from La Londe Vineyard, in the foothills of Mt. George foothills just south of Stag’s Leap, Napa. The decision to transition 'Affinity' to a single-vineyard release has enabled Robert Craig to express the essence of this extraordinary place in this wine.

With layers of flavor, this sleek wine will brighten everything from ribs to burgers, meat dishes with robust, piney herbs like rosemary, even chargrilled sprouts. Keep a while longer and it will become the perfect partner for braised dishes. Or simply gather some friends and enjoy with a nice aged cheddar or gouda.  

About the Winery

Robert Craig Winery is situated at 2300 ft. on top of Howell Mountain, Napa, and has been leading the way in mountain vineyard production for over 30 years. It creates four Cabernet Sauvignons made exclusively from its Napa Valley mountain and hillside vineyards. Each wine is carefully crafted to convey a unique personality derived from the soils, climate and varietal characteristics of the growing region. 

In recent years, the hillside vineyard has been farmed for higher stress levels and better uniformity throughout. The cane-pruned 30-year-old vines bear just 2.8 tons per acre, offering a rare display of the volcanic, stony soils in the finished wine. 

Reviews

This subtly tarry blend of 80 per cent cabernet sauvignon with merlot, cabernet franc, malbec and petit verdot, offers a nicely resolved array of blackcurrant aromas and flavors with fine and fresh tannins. Drink or hold. ~ 93 James Suckling

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Affinity is a gorgeous entry-level offering. Ripe and plummy, with striking up-front fruit, the 2016 has a lot to offer, including tons of immediacy and sheer appeal. Super-ripe red cherry, raspberry jam, vanilla and sweet spice add to the wine's racy, inviting personality. The Affinity is now mostly (85%) estate grown fruit from a site in Coombsville. ~ 92 Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

"Robert Craig winery has been consistently excellent throughout my tastings in Napa going back many, many years. They've also kept a lid on pricing, which remains realistic and consumer-friendly." ~Robert Parker, Wine Advocate