Cornerstone’s 2016 “Benchlands” is classic Napa Cabernet with a modern polish: dark, glossy fruit, serious structure, and just enough plushness to make the next sip inevitable. From prime benchland sites where the valley floor begins to rise toward the hills, this Cab captures the sweet spot between power and poise.

The nose is all black plum, blackberry preserves, and cassis, wrapped in violets, lilac, and warm baking spice. On the palate, waves of dark fruit roll through layers of dark chocolate, licorice, cedar, clove, and a touch of tobacco, carried by ripe, fine‑grained tannins. The finish is long, spicy, and cocoa‑tinged, with that “just one more glass” feel that marks great Napa Cabernet.

2016 was an outstanding, classically proportioned Napa vintage, and it shows here in the combination of depth, freshness, and detail. This is a dream pairing for grilled ribeye, short ribs, or a truffled burger, and it has the stuffing to age gracefully while already delivering huge pleasure now.