Continuum Continuum 2019

Mouse over image to zoom

Continuum
Continuum 2019

Vintage : 2019
Country : USA
Region : California
Subregion
Type : Red
Style Deep Full Bodied
Format : 75cl
Alcohol : 14,5°
Grappes : 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot

Continuum is a prestigious and age-worthy blend from Napa Valley, showcasing the volcanic terroir of Sage Mountain Vineyard. It boasts vibrant red and black fruit notes, a hint of floral character, and a well-structured palate with silky tannins and impressive aging potential.

Experts		Score	Vintage
JS	James Suckling	99	2019
RP	Robert Parker	98	2019
WS	Wine Spectator	95	2019
WE	Wine Enthusiast	95	2019

More information on wine critics and ratings

Description
Reviews

Wine region: Napa Valley, California. Located north of San Francisco, Napa Valley is one of the world's most famous wine regions, particularly known for its Cabernet Sauvignon wines.

Vineyards: The grapes for Continuum 2019 come from the estate's Sage Mountain Vineyard located on the slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains. This vineyard's volcanic soils contribute unique mineral characteristics to the wine.

Grape varietals: Continuum 2019 is a blend, with the 2019 vintage featuring a higher percentage of Cabernet Franc (37%) compared to previous years. The blend also includes Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (6%), and Petit Verdot (7%). This combination offers a balance of power and elegance, with Cabernet Sauvignon providing structure, Cabernet Franc adding floral and herbal notes, Merlot contributing softness, and Petit Verdot bringing depth and color.

Winemaking: Continuum employs meticulous winemaking practices. Grapes are hand-harvested and undergo rigorous sorting to ensure only the finest fruit makes it into the final blend. Fermentation occurs in small tanks, followed by extended aging in a combination of new and used French oak barrels, as well as a single concrete amphora for added complexity.

Tasting notes: Continuum 2019 boasts a deep, dark garnet color. The nose opens with a lively and expressive bouquet. Red fruit aromas like raspberry, currant, and cranberry mingle with hints of blackcurrant and blackberry. Delicate floral notes of hibiscus and violet add complexity. Underlying earthy and ferrous (iron-like) mineral notes emerge from the volcanic soils. The palate is full-bodied with a firm structure of fine-grained tannins. The flavors echo the aromas, with a core of dark fruit complemented by hints of graphite and earth. The wine exhibits remarkable balance and elegance, with a long and persistent finish.

Food pairing: Continuum 2019 pairs well with richly flavored dishes such as:

Grilled steaks and lamb chops
Braised short ribs
Wild mushroom risotto
Aged hard cheeses

Due to its structure and aging potential, this wine can be enjoyed now or cellared for several years to come.

James Suckling (JS) : 99 Points (2019)

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.

Robert Parker (RP) : 98 Points (2019)

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.

Wine Spectator (WS) : 95 Points (2019)

Expressive and vivid, with cassis, blueberry reduction and plum preserves mixed amicably together, while licorice, warm fruitcake, sassafras and baker's chocolate line the finish. A long, subtle cast iron note echoes as the fruit lingers, making for an alluring contrast. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Best from 2023 through 2038.

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 95 Points (2019)

From the mighty estate site on Pritchard Hill, this robustly muscular wine consists of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Cabernet Franc (the highest amount ever), 7% Petit Verdot and 6% Merlot. Herbal, it shows notes of violet, graphite and tobacco alongside layers of rich red and black currant. The tannins are substantial and grippy, not quite ready to play nice on the palate. Lay this one down and enjoy it best 2029.