The 2019 MC4 Cabernet Sauvignon is a “Bordeaux-style” Napa Cab in that its earthy, savory, perfumed, delineated character reminds me of the best of French Cabernet Sauvignon. A musky, dry-aged beef, dried blackberry/raspberry aroma transitions to fresher berries, bittersweet chocolate, cinnamon stick (I could say Mexican chocolate) and black licorice as you sip swirl and taste. Fine-grained tannins, refreshing acidity and medium-full body point to a wine that will evolve gracefully for 10-20 years. At the same time, with a 2 hour decant or an open bottle re-visit the next day, this wine drinks like a dream right now.
The name MC4 represents the two couples, Martin & Croshaw (2×2=4) who own, operate and sell the wine brand, grape to bottle. It was an organic, one acre vineyard on the west side of Highway 29 north of St Helena and just below where the Spring Mountain AVA begins. (I write “was” because the vineyard was pulled out in favor of oak and fruit trees after the fires of 2020 wiped out the vintage.) The winemaker is Victoria Coleman (Lobo Wines, formerly Mario Bazán and a protegé of Opus One’s Michael Silacci).
The 2019 is the 11th and final vintage of MC4. We will miss them.
