Proprietary Red 2019 Continuum

Professional reviews

Robert Parker (98)

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.

BOW (9)

Jancis Robinson (18.50)

The 15th vintage of Continuum and 100th anniversary of Mondavi in California. 100% estate grown and made. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot.
Lovely aromas with a mix of red and dark plums and cherries, mountain sage and a light touch of mint. The nose has a good balance of complexity and detail as well as freshness. This continues into the mouth with a lot of finesse and length. Impressively fine-grained tannin, a wash of mouth-watering acidity and a lot of persistence. This is an elevated, elegant, fine-tuned and beautiful, impressive wine. Dark-chocolate notes emerge in the mid palate, bringing a touch of richness as well as depth. Pink grapefruit accents the length of the palate, bringing a persistently refreshing quality even on a palate unafraid of rich flavour. The focus here though is on finesse and detail. Well done. Delicious and impressively drinkable now. Wow. (ECB)