The 2017 Reserve Claret is very pretty, if a touch understated, in this edition. Rose petal, cedar, mint, tobacco and sweet red berry fruit all lift from the glass. The 2017 offers lovely energy and brightness, but it is also a bit light in structure, as many wines are in this vintage. Even so, all the elements are so nicely balanced. Bright floral and spice notes linger nicely on the finish.

Composed of 54% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Claret Reserve comes from 66% Sonoma County and 34% Napa County. Medium garnet-purple colored, it rolls effortlessly out of the glass with provocative plum preserves, baked black cherries and blackberry compote notes plus hints of spice cake, Christmas pudding and Chinese five spice with a touch of licorice. The medium to full-bodied palate is oh-so-soft and plush, coating the mouth with spicy black fruit preserves, finishing long with a peppery kick. 

The 2017 Reserve Claret is another beautiful wine, especially in the vintage. Loads of
ripe red plum, blackcurrants, toasted spice, dried herbs, chocolate, and loamy earth
emerge from the glass and it's medium to full-bodied, has building tannins, and a
great finish. As with the Reserve Cabernet, it has plenty of up-front charm as well as
the balance and depth to evolve for 15-20 years.

Decidedly claret-like in its construction and its slightly nascent complexity, Pride’s aptly named marriage of Bordeaux varieties is a deep and fine-tuned offering that speaks clearly of careful crafting. While neither awash in unruly tannins nor so closed in as to be at all stinting in fruity richness and, in fact, already revealing fine integration and winemaking polish, it is nonetheless a wine to wait on rather than one to be rushed to the table, and its stamina and structure ensure that it will age wonderfully for a decade, if not more.