Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Continuum – Novicium – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2016
Napa Valley AVA – California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
From Tim Mondavi’s Continuum Estate, this 2016 Novicium Cabernet Sauvignon represents one of the estate’s rarest bottlings, crafted in very small quantities. Sourced from the dramatic slopes of Pritchard Hill, the wine is a bold, concentrated expression of Napa Cabernet, carrying the unmistakable Mondavi family signature of precision, structure, and longevity.

Aromas & Flavors
Explosive aromas of blackcurrant, ripe plum, and cassis, interwoven with cedar, graphite, espresso bean, and subtle dark chocolate. A hint of tobacco and violet adds extra layers of intrigue.

Mouthfeel
Dense, powerful, and structured with firm yet polished tannins. Full-bodied with remarkable depth and intensity, balanced by a fine backbone of acidity that promises longevity. The finish is long, layered, and memorable.

Food Pairings
Perfect alongside prime ribeye, braised short ribs, venison, or a truffle-infused mushroom risotto. A wine made for bold dishes and serious occasions.

Verdict
Outstanding and superb, a powerhouse Cabernet Sauvignon that epitomizes Napa Valley’s potential at its highest level. Bold, concentrated, and age-worthy, it’s a treasure worth savoring now or cellaring for the future.

Did You Know?
Continuum Estate, founded by the Mondavi family on Pritchard Hill, is considered one of Napa’s “Grand Cru” terroirs thanks to its elevation (1,300–1,600 ft) and its red volcanic and loamy soils. The name Novicium hints at “novice” or “beginning,” yet this bottling is anything but, it’s an insider’s gem from one of Napa’s most pedigreed sites. Cheers!

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
Among the finest Napa reds I’ve had in recent memory. This bottle left a lasting impression, truly impressive in its balance of concentration, elegance, and power. One of those wines that instantly reminds you why Napa sits among the world’s great Cabernet regions. — 19 days ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Dark ruby red. Inviting nose and lush medium palate of earthy black cherry, fresh mushroom, and slightly woody red plum. Medium acidity. Medium minus tannins. A Burgundy for the New World drinker. Just enough fruit and a well regulated militia of oak, tannins, and acidity make for a PN that’s true to its roots yet approachable to the novice. A wide variety of cuisines will pair nicely. I went with very authentic (read, “spicy”) Ethiopian fare. Drink now through 2028. — 4 years ago

barak heller hayun

8.9

🙈 tasting 3rd wine
at wset level 2 course (5th meeting)

1st of a grenache couple.
had quite a few grenache blends but I'm a true novice, so no guesses yet.

red cherry, red plum, herbs, liquorice and some oak spices 👃

medium acidity.
low tannins.
medium body.

mostly raspberry, 🍒 and liquorice 👄

made well but no serious complexity. — 6 years ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.8

Tried side by side. Tasting these since 2009. These are now classic wines. The vineyards are very close to the tree line of the western slope of the black forest in Baden. Who knows what these clones are? May be the Cluny Monks brought them up from France. These are world class Grand Cru level Pinots and are stupid underpriced. With age they turn into incredible beauties which easily match GranCru Burghs. Will be a 10 in 5 years from now. The Muschelkalk is always lighter in color ethereal and elegant. Black forest thyme, touch crushed marble, wild sour raspberry, hint of black forest morello cherries, cranberry, Mexican lime, green moos. This needs to uncoil over night to really get the potential of this. Quite acidic. 12.5%. A stellar vintage. And sleeping beauty. I would say not approachable for a novice at this point. Lucky for me my neighbors get it. Revisit in 2031. — 2 years ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark reddish purple with near black core. Inviting nose and medium full palate of ashy blueberry, red blackberry, and high-cocoa dark chocolate. Dusty, medium plus tannins present (but not assertive) from entry. Medium acidity wrapped up in it all, and a lengthy finish wraps it all up. Classic California PS with enough stuffing for the connoisseur, but still enough approachability for the novice. Drink now through 2030. — 3 years ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark ruby garnet. Initially shy nose of black cherry drops. Medium-bodied palate echoes the nose with a hint of stony licorice marzipan mid-palate to finish. Medium acidity. Sneaky medium tannins that assert on the finish. A nice intro to the “Duke” of Tuscan Sangiovese-based wines. Not quite as structured as higher-priced offerings, but that’s good for the novice. Drink now through 2024. — 5 years ago

Kristin the Wine Girl

9.4

Earthy, herbaceous, and with aeration, bing cherry enough to pull the novice drinker over to the geek side of funk and farm Pinot. — 2 years ago

Daniel Bloom

9.2

Legit shit!
N: baguette, stones, yellow fruits, grapefruit pith, white chocolate*
P: Very mineral, deep, perfect w oysters.
As a novice, delicious! For Xmas/Hanukkah.
Thanks @Last Bottle Wines. — 3 years ago

with Sarah

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark purple garnet with near black core and color to the rim. Inviting nose of ashy blueberry and dried flowers. Full-bodied palate yields blueberry, plum, and ripe blackberry, with a hint of graphite and violet mid-palate on. Medium acidity and subtle, medium minus tannins. Finish is lengthy and continues the palate. A great intro to the upper echelons of Pomerol for the novice. Checks off all of the boxes except long term ageability (which, of course, is why it's not La Violette). Drink now through 2026. — 3 years ago

barak heller hayun

9.0

🙈 tasting 4th wine
at wset level 2 course (5th meeting)

2nd of a grenache couple.
had quite a few grenache blends but I'm a true novice, so no guesses yet.

14.5%

ruby red 👀

more oak and less fruit 👃 including white pepper and red plum.

medium acidity.
high tannins.
full body.

spices, oak and a little bit of Red fruit.

medium 🎯

made very well, but not to my liking. — 6 years ago