Continuum Continuum 2019

Continuum Continuum 2019

 

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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

The Continuum 2019 is a stunning expression of mountain-grown fruit from the Sage Mountain Vineyard on Pritchard Hill. With a blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, this wine offers a deep, complex profile that reflects both the volcanic soils and meticulous winemaking of the Continuum Estate.

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

Region and Vineyards

The Sage Mountain Vineyard, located on Pritchard Hill, lies along the eastern ridge above Oakville, Napa Valley. Positioned at an elevation of 396 to 487 meters (1,300 to 1,600 feet), this vineyard benefits from the rocky, volcanic soils that define the site’s unique terroir. These soils force the vines to focus their energy, resulting in low yields and producing fruit with exceptional depth and complexity​.

The 2019 vintage began with a cold, wet winter, followed by a long, slow-growing season. Rainfall in May increased berry size slightly, contributing to a larger crop than usual. The summer months were warm but moderate, allowing the grapes to ripen evenly. Harvest began on October 8 and concluded by October 25, about 19 days later than the estate average​.

Winemaking

The 2019 Continuum is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot, and 6% Merlot. The fruit was carefully hand-harvested at night to preserve its freshness and then sorted before and after de-stemming. Fermentation took place in French oak and concrete tanks, with three to four pumpovers daily during the most active fermentation period.

The wine spent 22 months aging in French oak barrels, with 66% new oak and 34% once or twice-used barrels. A single concrete amphora was also used to enhance the aging process. The wine was bottled without fining or filtration, ensuring its purity and authenticity​.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Deep, dark ruby with intense clarity.
  • Aroma: Lively and expressive, with notes of red fruit, hibiscus, and delicate florals. Hints of graphite, wild herbs, and exotic spices create added layers of complexity.
  • Palate: Rich and plush, with concentrated dark fruit flavors such as black mulberry. The palate is further enhanced by a silky texture, velvety tannins, and the distinct minerality of the volcanic soils. The wine finishes with a pleasing, long-lasting balance of power and grace​.

Did you know?

The 2019 Continuum features the highest percentage of Cabernet Franc ever used in this blend, highlighting the grape’s ability to capture the volcanic character of the Sage Mountain Vineyard. This vintage is both accessible upon release and built for extended aging, rewarding those who choose to cellar it​.

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.

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359,00 €
Quantity : Moins     Plus
 
 
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