"The 2013 Sestina checks in as a mix of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc, and sees native fermentation followed by aging in 70% new French oak. Gorgeously elegant and rounded, with the approachable style of the vintage, it gives up a classic notes of black currants, crushed rocks, leafy herbs and tobacco in a medium to full-bodied, impeccably made style. It will have two decades of longevity."
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #225, June 2016), 93 pts
"More brains than brawn, the focus on this understated Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend is on old vines, with fruit coming mostly from early '70s and '80s Dionysus, Bacchus and Red Willow vineyard plantings. The earth, black cherry, peppercorn, currant and dried herb aromas start out tightly coiled. The flavors have laser-focused purity and a compelling sense of balance, with plenty of subtleties. It's all about nuance."
- Wine Enthusiast (July 2016), 93 pts
"Head winemaker, Chris Peterson, has crafted another stunner with this new 'Sestina' bottling. This wine is a blend of 73% Cabernet, 18% Merlot and 9% Cab Franc. The wine opens with gorgeous aromas of black cherry, black olive, blackberry preserves and dark chocolate. There is a real Bordelaise feel to this wine. The wine has flavors of crushed wild flowers, Turkish coffee, black olive, blackberry preserves, graphite, and an exceedingly long finish. There is a wonderful range of flavors and aromatics at play to this exceptional bottling. Try to wait at least another year before consuming. (Best 2017-2030).- OB"
- International Wine Report (October 2016), 94 pts
"Coming from older vine plantings at Dionysus, Red Willow, Boushey and Bacchus vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon (70%) takes the lead, with the rest Merlot (20%) and Cabernet Franc. Aromas of graphite, savory herb and red and black fruit are followed by refined fruit flavors. It shows a sophisticated sensibility, bringing a sense of texture and vibrancy, along with a lingering finish."
- Wine Enthusiast (August 2017), 91 pts
"Bright ruby-red. Aromas of plum, dark berries, bitter chocolate, graphite and earth. Compellingly sweet, plush, suave wine with intense dark fruit and spice flavors clarified and enlivened by excellent integrated acidity. Really superb brambly New World fruit leads to a brisk, gripping back end featuring serious but fine-grained mouthcoating tannins and terrific length and lift. I retasted the 2013 bottling next to this beauty and its tannins were less pliant and refined. - Stephen Tanzer"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2016), 93 pts
"The Left Bank-style/Cabernet-dominated wine is the 2014 Sestina, and in 2014 it's a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Cassis, licorice, violets, lead pencil shavings and hints of herbs all give way to a layered, full-bodied, multi-dimensional wine that has sweet tannin and a great finish. It's about as voluptuous and sexy a wine as Chris has ever made. - Jeb Dunnuck"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #231, June 2017), 95 pts
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (October 2017), 93 pts
