The 2016 Avoyelles is a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot, and I suspect it will merit a triple-digit rating in 5-7 years. A wine of both power and poise, it offers full-bodied richness and depth as well as a distinct gravelly minerality, classic notes of blueberries, spring flowers, and forest floor, sensational elegance, and ultra-fine tannins. As seamless as they come, it’s still reserved and backward, and will benefit from 4-5 years of cellaring and keep for 25+.

The 2016 Oakville Ranch Avoyelles is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, co-fermented and aged 19 months in 100% new French oak. It has a deep garnet-purple color and comes bursting forth with vibrant red cherries, redcurrants and blackberries plus touches of cedar chest, red roses, cinnamon stick and pencil lead with a hint of spearmint. The palate is full-bodied and packed full of juicy red berries and perfumed layers with a solid backbone of ripe, fine-grained tannins and a wonderfully vibrant finish. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown