The huge majority of Joshua Maloney’s wines for the Milbrandt brothers cost a fraction of this, but this Meritage-style blend is their top shelf bottling, and it comes from their prized Northridge Vineyard. The blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (69%), Malbec (23), Merlot (5%) and Petit Verdot factors in much more Malbec than the 2010 vintage, but the barrel program is similar — 18 months in 45% new French oak. Beautiful aromas of black currant, blueberry and lilac are surrounded by vanilla, cocoa and allspice. The drink is luscious with flavors of black cherry and boysenberry, which come upon rounded tannins and ample acidity. This marks the second straight vintage that the Sentinel has received our top rating, and the fact that 2011 also was Maloney’s first harvest for Milbrandt continues to bode well for the future.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 325 cases
Alcohol: 13.9%
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