The first bottle was corked, but the second was better. The 2016 La Haute Cuvée is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot. The wine is a deep ruby color at the core, with soft purple highlights, and it shows a pleasing depth that is reticent of Red Mountain. The nose has a mix of French & American oak notes, with brown baking spices and sweet vanilla, as well as aromas of black cherry, dark plum and cassis. Full-bodied, the wine is rich in full on the palate with dark red fruits and a ferric mineral shine, revealing slightly tight and grippy tannins that should soften and improve in the cellar. 33,840 bottles were produced.