Forman Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 (750ML)

97 Points, Christopher Deas, Zachys Buying Team: "Tasted over eight hours. We were floored by the 2013, then enamored by the 2014, and today, this is another Forman that lives up to all its history and press. For Zachys team, this was our #1 Napa Cabernet of the year for its fair collector price and its ability to deliver approachability with age-ability. Once again, compared to all their neighbors, this is more classic and Bordeaux in style wearing its Howell Mountain fruit well - almost Pauillac-like. What we appreciate about this wine time after time is the structure, and that this is a more terroir-driven Napa. While classic, it has purity of fruit and pronounced aromatics that reach across the table. It begins with notes of red and black fruit, especially black cherries, cassis, tobacco, marked graphite, and wild herbs. We had tasted this wine over hours, and while starting with plumper fruit elements, the wine calms down and begins to integrate nicely. With aeration the wine gains focus and complexity, expressing more plum, coffee, licorice and wild herb nuances. There is some deceivingly approachability, however, you can feel the tannins and underlying power this wine possesses. It is best with a little further aging and/or decanting. As we have stated with Forman over the past three vintages, this is truly Grand Cru Classé Napa without extraction and cult wine pricing. A must buy for those that appreciate classic, medium bodied Cabernet with energy and acidity, but what makes this wine so special is also its approachability." 5/2018

92-94 Points, Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate: "The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, which came from yields half of what is normally routine, is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon followed by mostly Cabernet Franc and smaller quantities of Petit Verdot and Merlot. This wine, which is still in barrel, displays gorgeous blueberry and black raspberry notes with some licorice, truffle and forest floor. The wine has a dense ruby/purple color, medium to full body, a Bordeaux-like structure, but wonderful energy, purity and richness." 10/16

96 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous: "The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon is dense, pliant and wonderfully expressive. Ric Forman's wines are always on the restrained side, but the 2015 packs a good bit of punch. Sweet red cherry, raspberry, sage, mint, and rose petal overtones all add to the wine's precision and nuance. In 2015, Forman took in fruit from Thorevilos, which he co-manages with David Abreu, but ultimately decided to add that juice to the Cabernet Sauvignon rather than bottle it separately. Dollops of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec round out the blend. This is one of the classiest wines of the vintage."