Burgess Sorenson's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Burgess Sorenson's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 is a 750ml, 14.5% ABV Howell Mountain Cabernet blend from Burgess Cellars in Napa Valley. This single-vineyard reserve earned 96 points and a Cellar Selection designation from Wine Enthusiast, placing it among the top-scoring wines from this historic mountain appellation.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Howell Mountain AVA, Napa Valley  |  Vintage: 2016  |  Producer: Burgess Cellars

Production & Heritage

The fruit for this reserve comes entirely from the Sorenson vineyard on Howell Mountain, a site originally planted in the 1870s. The vineyard sits on a steep 27-degree slope of heavily compacted volcanic soils dotted with rocks and boulders — conditions that naturally stress the vines and concentrate flavor. The blend of approximately 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, and 2% Malbec was hand-harvested, fermented in stainless steel, and given extended maceration with lees contact. The wine then spent a generous 30 months in oak barrels — 30% new, the remainder neutral — a prolonged aging period designed to tame Howell Mountain's characteristically powerful tannins. It was bottled unfiltered to preserve texture and complexity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark plum and cassis arrive first, followed by graphite, cedar, and a distinctive minty-herbal thread. Potpourri and smoldering tobacco notes emerge with time in the glass, hinting at the wine's early maturity.

Taste: The palate entry is plush and full-bodied, with layers of blackberry, mulberry, and black currant unfolding across the mid-palate. Baking spice and gently mulled fruit integrate seamlessly, while ample soft tannins provide a velvety, enveloping texture. Petit Verdot and Malbec add depth and mid-palate density without overwhelming the Cabernet's structure.

Finish: Long and graceful, trailing savory cedar, tobacco leaf, and wet earth with hints of lilac and black tea. The grippy, old-school conclusion reveals alder and additional savory complexity that lingers well after each sip.

How to Drink Sorenson's Reserve 2016

This wine shows its best at cellar temperature (60–65°F) with 30–60 minutes of decanting to open the aromatics and soften the tannin grip. Neat in a large-bowled Bordeaux glass is the ideal serve. For a Cabernet-based Sangria, its dark fruit intensity stands up to citrus and brandy additions. In a Kalimotxo riff, the wine's structure and spice pair surprisingly well with quality cola over ice. A chilled New York Sour benefits from the wine's deep color and tannic backbone floated atop a bourbon-lemon base.

Best For

• Cellaring for special milestones — the 2016 vintage has proven aging potential through 2030 and beyond
• Gifting a serious Napa Valley collector who appreciates mountain-grown Cabernet
• Anchoring a comparative tasting of Howell Mountain wines alongside valley-floor expressions
• Pairing with a celebratory prime rib or rack of lamb dinner

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Sorenson's Reserve 2016 taste like? It delivers a rich, full-bodied profile of dark plum, blackberry, and black currant layered with cedar, baking spice, and tobacco. Velvety tannins carry the fruit through a long, savory finish marked by black tea and lilac.

How does Sorenson's Reserve 2016 compare to Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet? Both are mountain-grown Napa Cabernets from Howell Mountain's volcanic soils, but the Burgess Sorenson's Reserve 2016 uses an extended 30-month barrel program and includes small percentages of Petit Verdot and Malbec, yielding a somewhat more approachable, plush texture at a younger age. Dunn's Howell Mountain bottling is typically a longer-aged, more austere style that rewards extensive cellaring.

Is Sorenson's Reserve 2016 good for cellaring? Yes — Wine Enthusiast awarded it a Cellar Selection designation alongside 96 points, indicating the wine has significant aging potential and will continue to develop complexity over the coming years.

Where is Sorenson's Reserve made? It is produced by Burgess Cellars from the Sorenson vineyard on Howell Mountain, a sub-appellation in the northeastern hills of Napa Valley, California. The vineyard site was originally planted in the 1870s on steep, rocky volcanic slopes at elevation.

What foods pair well with Sorenson's Reserve 2016? Grilled bone-in ribeye benefits from the wine's tannic grip and dark fruit. Braised lamb shanks with rosemary mirror its herbal, savory finish. Aged Gouda or Comté echo the cedar and spice notes. Mushroom risotto with truffle oil complements the earthy, tobacco-leaf undertones. Dark chocolate with a high cacao percentage (70%+) aligns with the cassis and graphite aromatics.

What sizes does Sorenson's Reserve 2016 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is Sorenson's Reserve 2016 worth the price? It positions as a premium single-vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet from a historic mountain site, and its 96-point Wine Enthusiast score and 92-point Wine Spectator rating place it in strong company at its price tier — competitive with other highly rated Howell Mountain bottlings.

Why Sorenson's Reserve 2016?

The 96-point Wine Enthusiast rating with a Cellar Selection nod is the headline, but the story behind the score matters more. The Sorenson vineyard's 1870s heritage and extreme volcanic terroir on a 27-degree slope produce naturally low yields and deeply concentrated fruit that few Napa Valley sites can replicate. The 30-month barrel aging program — unusually long for the region — transforms Howell Mountain's famously muscular tannins into something plush and approachable without sacrificing the structure that gives mountain Cabernet its identity. Bottled unfiltered to preserve every layer of complexity, this is Howell Mountain Cabernet at its most refined.