92
Mi Sueño Winery 2016 Syrah Napa 14.5% $55
This full-bodied, opaque wine carries its weight with style. This is hardly surprising for a Mi Sueño wine; they typically show very good balance. This Syrah is a textbook example of its Napa origin as well as its single grape variety. There is a head-of-class character and the seamless beauty of meticulously managed, high quality oak along with elegantly powerful concentration. There is also black plum liqueur and blackberry and blueberry compote to saturate the palate followed by a pinch of peppercorn spice and a light layer of vaguely pulling tannins. It's perfectly nice to open now but should be given the benefit of more time in bottle.
Drink: 2021-24

93
Mi Sueño Winery 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Lynn's Vineyard Napa Mount Veeder 14.5% $95
This definitely smells like mountain-side Napa Cabernet Sauvignon! It's so engaging that I'd almost rather smell it all night than sip it. This is not at all to say that I don't want to drink this beauty. It's just that it is so gorgeously aromatic and precisely pure on the nose between its black currant buds, sloe and mocha that it really is satisfying enough to simply sniff it.  The palate is extravagantly creamy, yet offers just enough lift so that the wine doesn't feel too heavy.The palate offers a plethora of forest fruits tinged with licorice that eventually subsides into a minerally, charcoal note on the finish. This youthful beauty will benefit from time in bottle, even if it is easy to enjoy now.
Drink: 2021-24