Tomasello Palmaris Outer Coastal Plain Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2016

Tomasello Winery is in its 4th generation of family winemaking. The Palmaris Reserves are named Palmaris which means ‘prize-worthy’ in Latin, to express wines of substantive character and distinction made only in superior vintages. 2016 was a fine growing season in the Outer Coastal Plain, characterized by rainfall and temperature conditions which allowed for maximum fruit maturity by late season.

The three grapes in the blend are, 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc. The musts were fermented in contact with the skins for a period of 14 days and were vinified using Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast originally isolated from France's Languedoc terroir. They were made in separate lots between October 3 and October 13, 2016 and subsequently transferred to a combination of French Nevers and American oak in December 2016. Malolactic fermentation was effectuated in oak where the wine evolved for 36 months until November, 2019. The wines were blended and bottled in December 2019 and bottled in April, 2020.

Palmaris 2016 Reserve Cabernet is a silky, sultry red made in an elegant, reserved style. Deep ruby color with violet petal, raspberry, black plum, and fig on the nose. Full-bodied and dense, the winery suggests decanting prior to serving with red meats, especially Filet Mignon, Short Ribs or Rack of Lamb alongside Portobello Mushrooms and Potatoes.