Cabernet Sauvignon Wine

Winemaker Description

The 2019 Napa Valley Cabernet is our interpretation of a quintessentially classic style. The color is deep garnet and the nose yields aromas of dark chocolate, pomegranate, cedar shavings, blackberry, and leather. The palate exhibits flavors of blueberry compote, black cherry, espresso, and cigar box with bright and juicy fruit forward sensations. The texture is rich and bold with well-structured tannins that make it approachable now and will yield great results in the cellar for decades. 

Expert Review

91 Points Jeb Dunnuck | A wine that’s been made since 1967, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is a beautifully textured, medium-bodied, sweetly fruited charmer that has lots of cassis and redcurrant fruit, some spicy oak, ripe tannins, and the balance to evolve and drink nicely for a decade. I think it’s outstanding. (2019).

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points | The spicy, complex, medium to full-bodied 2022 Château Croizet-Bages sports a ruby/plum hue, ample red and black fruits, some leather, incense, and cedar pencil notes, terrific overall balance, ripe tannins, and a great finish. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34.5% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, all raised in 50% new barrels.

Vinous 91 Points | The 2022 Croizet Bages is a very pretty, open-knit Pauillac. Crushed flowers, sweet red-toned fruit, blood orange, mint and white pepper are all laced together. Soft, plush contours wrap it all together. The 2022 is on the riper side in terms of profile and weight, but it's well balanced.

Memo Summary Notes

The Château is located in the hamlet of Bages in the town of Pauillac, in the heart of the Médoc. It was founded in the 17th century by the Croizet brothers.  A great value driven by the fact one of the few classified estates still in independent hands and without a separate business to keep oiling the coffers without inflating its retail price. Highly
rated.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

The Wine Enthusiast by Jim Gordon writes 92 Points | Big and rich, this deeply saturated and mouth-filling wine overflows with ripe, plump blueberries, black currants and black cherries accented with mint and dark chocolate. It's delicious enough to drink young. Best from 2027. 

James Suckling 91 Points | Ripe and fruity red with blackberries, mulberries, blue flowers and sweet spice aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, mellow and succulent with supple tannins and a bright, fruity finish. 

Jeb Dunmuck 90 Points | Meaning "Friends and Family," the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Kith & Kin is deep purple-hued with an upfront, delicious, plump style in its assorted darker fruits, spice, tobacco, and chocolaty aromas and flavors. It's soft, medium to full-bodied, ready to go, and undeniably delicious.

Memo Summary Notes

The 2021 vintage in Napa is being hailed as one of the best in the last decade. It was a cool, dry year that produced wines with intense color and deep concentration, but with enough acidity to keep them from feeling "heavy."

Pair with

• A classic Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter or Braised Short Ribs.

• Aged Gouda (those little salty crystals in the cheese will make the fruit in the wine pop).

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

James Suckling | Aromas of crushed dark berries, spices and hints of tea leaves and wet earth. Lightly austere, with a well-defined structure, it has a medium body with firm tannins and juicy fruit underneath. 

Memo Summary Notes

The Arbo Côtes de Bordeaux Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 is a value-driven red wine from the Vignobles Arbo estate in the Bordeaux region of France. While many Bordeaux wines are blends (usually dominated by Merlot on the Right Bank), this specific "Arbo" label highlights 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, which is a unique find for the Côtes de Bordeaux appellation.

As a structured Cabernet Sauvignon, it pairs best with savory, protein-rich dishes:
    •    Meats: Grilled steak, roasted lamb, or venison.
    •    Cheese: Hard cheeses like aged Cheddar or Comté.
    •    Vegetarian: Portobello mushroom burgers or lentil stews with rosemary.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

James Suckling 97 Points | This shows a lot of class, with aromas of blackcurrants, graphite, blueberries, dried flowers, black truffles and a touch of forest floor. The palate is medium- to full-bodied, with seamless tannins that goes on and on. Endless. Blackcurrants, dark mushrooms and violets with hints of fresh rose stems and light herbs. Velvety texture. A blend of 92% cabernet sauvignon, 6% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot.

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | The 2021 Napanook is one heck of a Napanook, offering complex notes of currants, cassis, graphite, leafy tobacco, lead pencil, and chocolate. Incredible on the palate, it s full-bodied and round, with supple, vibrant, incredible tannins. This is easily the finest vintage I've tasted of this cuv e and it s the equivalent of many a Grand Vin from other producers.

The Wine Advocate 94 Points | Certainly the best Napanook bottling I can recall, the 2021 Napanook is a 3,000-case blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Boasting harmonious aromas of raspberries, red and black cherries, cinnamon, clove and dusty earth notes, this full-bodied wine tips the scales at a declared 15% alcohol, yet it shows no detectable heat. It is full-bodied, intense, rich and velvety, with hints of black tea on the long finish. Matured in 20% new French oak, it stands out for its lush mouthfeel and savory complexity.

The Wine Spectator 93 Points | Bright and fresh, with a streak of tobacco enlivening the core of cherry and red currant preserve flavors. A subtle accent of singed cedar runs along the edges, giving this a reserved feel. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2036. 3,000 cases made.

Memo Pairing Suggestions

Food Pairings: Pairs excellently with grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, roasted lamb, or aged hard cheeses.

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

95 points, Wine Spectator. This bursts with bramble, licorice snap, blackberry and mulberry aromas and flavors that are energetic and juicy through the finish, where a flash of iris kicks in. A graphite spine to keep this honest. For fans of the exuberant style. Drink now through 2040.

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

Tasting Panel 92 Points  Befitting its name, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Petite Sirah is opaque in hue, but the palate is juicy, glossy, and lusciously crafted, unmasking notes of dark chocolate, sage, and blackberry licorice.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2016

91 Points James Suckling | Only ripe, blueberry and blackberry flavors with nice freshness and some healthy, supple tannins within the sleek frame, make this an immediately appealing red Bordeaux that’s very food-friendly. Drink or hold. (2016).

Wine Enthusiast  91 Points | This is a confident wine from a team that makes two of the top Pessac-Léognan wines. It comes partly from the Haut-Brion vineyard, giving classic tannins and juicy black fruits. Good acidity completes this balanced wine. *Editor's Choice* (2016).

Winemaker Description 

A deep color and a soft bouquet of liquorice and blackcurrant. The wine has violet and slightly toasty nuances on the palate. The texture is velvety and the flavour altogether powerful and elegant. There is a wonderful refined balance between high-quality tannin, concentration, tension, and freshness. A lovely vintage for Clarendelle! Winemaker Description. 

Producer Description 

Dark and luscious, the 2023 Diamond Collection Claret  showcases flavors of plum, black pepper, and cocoa. Good length, firm tannins, and sophisticated character are enhanced by a full body and long finish.

The term "Claret" is traditionally used to describe a Bordeaux-style red blend, and this wine consistently delivers a rich, smooth, and fruit-forward take on that style.

This rich red blend is versatile and pairs wonderfully with:

• Roasted or Grilled Meats: Steak, lamb, beef tenderloin.

• Hard Cheeses: Aged Cheddar or Gouda.

• Savory Dishes: Mushroom risotto or pasta with a meat-based sauce.

  
  

   

Winemaker Description

This Cabernet Sauvignon has a classic, deep red color, rich with cherry and blackberry flavors with a hint of oak and a long, silky finish for a perfectly balanced wine.

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2018 

Wine Advocate 93 Points | Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Benchland Select gives up intense cassis, stewed plums and cedar chest notes with hints of licorice and wild sage. Medium to full-bodied in the mouth, the palate has a taut, grainy texture supporting the muscular black fruits, finishing long and mineral tinged.

James Suckling 92 Points | Ripe blueberries, blackcurrants, blackberries, spearmint, cocoa and walnut on the nose. Full-bodied with firm, fine tannins. Supple, flavorful finish. Drink or hold. 

Expert Reviews 

Wine Spectator 94 Points | A very fresh, floral-laced style, offering a bright beam of cassis and plum gelée laced with flashes of violet, hibiscus and rose petal. Nicely grounded through the finish, with alder and warm earth hints filling in. Approachable, but this has more to show in time. Best from 2023 through 2036. (JM)

Wine Advocate 94 Points | Delicate herbal shadings accent the cassis notes on the nose of Corison's 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon. It's classic Corison, balanced and concentrated without being showy or weighty, silky in feel, with a long, lingering finish and two decades of ageability. (JC)Decanter 94 points Alluring aromas of dark cassis, graphite, cedar and wild herbs. It has a striking depth with layered flavours and texture, and while restrained now it is incredibly well-built and in need of time in the cellar to fully shine. Reveals subtle hints of fresh black and blue berries, currants and dried herbs tinged with red florals. Finishes with polish, energy and poise. (JC)

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points | Lots of dark, blackcurrants, cassis, darker chocolate, and hints of violets emerge from the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, a medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced St. Helena Napa Cabernet Sauvignon offering nicely integrated acidity, terrific balance, and a great finish. This quintessential Cathy Corison Cabernet shines on all accounts. It's going to evolve for two decades. (JD)

James Suckling 94 Points | A perfumed nose of blackberries, dark cherries, cedar, cocoa and nutmeg. Violets too. Medium body with fine tannins and bright acidity. Fresh and refined with a bright core of wild fruit and a long, flavorful finish. Drink or hold. (JS)

Vinous 93 Points | The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is full of charm. It offers all of the natural intensity of the year, with bright acids that keep the flavors bright. Sweet red cherry, plum, cedar, tobacco and spice all build effortlessly. This open-knit yet classically built Cabernet is likely to offer a wide window of drinkability over the next 15-20 years. As always, Cathy Corison's Napa Valley Cabernet is a blend of three sites in St. Helena. (AG)

Wine & Spirits Magazine 96 Points | The 2019 vintage might be something of an outlier for Cathy Corison, who picked two weeks later than usual, taking advantage of the cool season from summer into fall. This wine is, in fact, an idealized version of her benchland cabernet sauvignon, holding on to the elegance she regularly achieves, while adding a luscious textural beauty that more often comes from bottle age. James Conley of NYC’s Keen’s Chophouse found the aroma suggested a more delicate wine than the density and extract this one carries in its “cabernet grape tannins and intriguing, lifted fruit. If someone said, ‘I love Napa, but show me what I’m missing.’ I’d say, ‘Well, try this.’” Warm and explosive in its energy, this wine carries an imprint of the benchland soils in the play of darkness and light, in the detailed tannins that make you crave another taste. (JG)

Winemaker Description

Blend: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petite Verdot, 3% Merlot
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is absolutely impeccable. Best of all, it won't require years in the cellar to be enjoyable. In fact, it is quite expressive today. Juicy dark cherry, plum, mocha, spice, leather and cinnamon are some of the many notes that flesh out in the glass. 

Expert Review 

Vinous 96+ Points | The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is silky and elegant, with lovely aromatic presence and impeccable balance. Sweet tobacco, cedar, dried flowers and mint all give this mid-weight Cabernet lovely complexity and nuance. The 2018 has shut down since I tasted it last year, but that is not surprising given the style here. Today, bright acids give the 2018 energy, tension and a good deal of precision. Those qualities should help the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon age well over the coming decades.  Drinking 2028 - 2058.

Producer Description 

The wine is a crimson-hued garnet red. Elegant and refined, the nose exudes floral aromas, going on with airing to develop notes of blackcurrant and licorice root. The full and smooth attack reveals an alluring and complex array of flavors in which ripe fruit is magnificently set off by notes of toasted cereals and violet. The mid-palate is underpinned by high-quality close-knit and creamy tannins, leading into a saline and slightly minty finish which lingers on hints of chocolates.

Expert Reviews

James Suckling 96 Points | Aromas of crushed stone, blackcurrants and blackberries. Full-bodied with extremely well-crafted tannins that are chewy and layered, yet polished and fantastic. Love the finish. 72% cabernet sauvignon, 25% petit verdot, 22% merlot and 4% cabernet franc. (v.2019).

Wine Enthusiast 94-96 Points | Dense and rich, with a high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon, this is another great vintage from the estate. Its black fruits ooze concentration alongside firm tannins that promise a potential for long aging. The aftertaste has opulent black currant richness. (v.2019). 

The Wine Advocate 95 Points | The 2019 Clerc Milon is a real success. At more than 70%, this blend contains one of the highest proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon in the property's recent history, and the result is a wine of real nobility. Offering up aromas of violets, wild berries, licorice, loamy soil and cigar wrapper, it's full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, with notable depth at the core, lively acids and ripe, powdery tannins that assert themselves on the finish. From clay-limestone soils rather than the sandy gravels that characterize d'Armailhac, this is by some margin the more structured and serious of Mouton-Rothschild's two Pauillac stablemates.(v.2019).

Decanter 95 Points | The wine has the highest levels of Cabernet Sauvignon since the 1980s, and even on the nose you can feel its impact in terms of the depth of tight black fruit. Extremely good quality with fine tannins that build, build, build over the palate, and grip on, forcing you to slow down and pay attention. Beautiful spice with menthol, slate, pencil lead, blackberry and blackcurrant. An exciting wine with real energy and forward motion, helped to withstand the summer heat by its position by the river, and the fact that the average age of the vines at Clerc Milon is almost 50 years. 2% Petit Verdot completes the blend. Jean Emmanuel Danjoy's last outing doing the full vintage at Clerc Milon before he heads over to Mouton as technical director. (v.2019).

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Presents a very fresh core of cassis, red cherry and damson plum fruit flavors that meld nicely with a racy iron streak, while light savory and floral details run along the edges. A very pure and bright version that should age well. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Carmenère. (v.2019).

Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points | Another beautiful effort from this team, the 2019 Château Clerc Milon is 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, from vines just across the street from Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Mouton Rothschild. Brought up in a mix of new and used barrels, it has a healthy ruby/plum color to go with a great nose of ripe red and black fruits supported by some classic Pauillac lead pencil, tobacco, and spice box notes. I love its overall balance, it's medium-bodied, has silky tannins, and the fresher, elegant style of the vintage. I wouldn't call it mid-weight, but I compared this to the 2014 on release, and I still think that comparison holds, although there's a touch more length and intensity in the 2019. This will drink well today with a decant (I followed this bottle for two days) and will shine for a good two decades.(v.2019).

Expert Reviews - Vingage 2023

The Wine Enthusiast by Tonya Pitts writes 92 Points | There are so many gems coming out of the 2023 vintage in California. Flavors of fresh-picked red berries, plums, pomegranates, mint sprigs, a kiss of earth and sunshine tell the story of a short but almost perfect growing season. Pick this one up and give it a whirl on the dinner table. 

The Tasting Panel 91 Points | This bright and shining red is a floral beauty packed with peony, violets, orange blossom, and red tea. Cherry pie arises on the midpalate.

Winemaker Description 

Production:
• Regeneratively farmed
• Certified sustainable per “Lodi Rules”
• Aged 12 mos. in seasoned French oak
• Vegan-friendly

Composition: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon • 25% Nero d'Avola

Eye: Deep garnet core, translucent ruby rim.

Nose: Gardenia, lilac, lavender, violet, black cherry, dried rose petals, spicy cedar, cigar box, and sweet vanilla.

Palate: Ripe blue & black fruits with subtle citrus, eucalyptus & brown sugar. Structured yet lush and creamy with soft, supple tannins that lead to an endlessly
delightful finish.

Pairing inspirations: Grilled portobello mushroom with balsamic garlic glaze, Moroccan spiced lamb, spaghetti Bolognese, vegetable lasagne, wild mushroom risotto, Margherita pizza.

House of Brown is a second-generation wine label under the BROWN Napa Valley umbrella, which also includes Chaos Theory and is anchored by flagship Brown Estate.

The Brown family have been in Napa since 1980. Siblings Deneen, Coral, and David began making wine in 1996. Raised by two medical professionals in a “Blue-Zone” household in Southern California, they all pitched in at their parents’ medical clinic. There, they adopted what would become a guiding principle in their wine business: Do no harm.

The creation of House of Brown was inspired by an extraordinary community of wine consumers who for over two decades had been finding themselves at home with Brown Estate, and in 2017 began assembling at the family’s then newly opened Brown Downtown Napa tasting room. This period marked an evolution in wine consumer demographics, with the industry at large seeing an influx of young and culturally diverse enthusiasts coming to the fore — dynamics that have been manifest at Brown for decades.

House of Brown was established in 2018 to expand access to the Brown wine experience, then nearly 25 years strong. The label designs are an homage to the brand’s Feel Seen ethos, and to the sense of welcome and belonging that are hallmarks at Brown. Produced with the same commitment to purity and balance that is foundational to Brown Estate, House of Brown wines are regeneratively farmed, certified sustainable, and vegan-friendly.

House of Brown is 100% family-owned + 100% Black-owned, and the brand is women-led.

Memo Summary Notes

The House of Brown Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 is a relatively new addition to the "next-generation" lineup from the legendary Brown Estate—Napa Valley's first Black-owned estate winery. This Lodi bottling is designed to be inclusive, sustainable, and highly aromatic.

Highly versatile. It pairs excellently with Margherita pizza, grilled portobello mushrooms with balsamic glaze, Moroccan spiced lamb, or wild mushroom risotto.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

The Wine Enthusiast by Elaine Chukan Brown writes 92 Points | Generous and energetic, this Cabernet Sauvignon joins flavors of baked cherries and cranberries with a sprinkle of spice, vanilla and mocha cream, and almost-tobacco spices. Fine, persistent tannins carry through a long finish. 

Winemaker Description 

The 2022 growing season began with a mild spring that warmed into a temperate summer. The certified-organic grapes for this 2022 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon matured smoothly and steadily, with a heat spike in early September that helped ripen the fruit to an ideal brix.

95 Points, Double Gold Medal
San Francisco Int'l Wine Competition, 2025
94 Points, Platinum Medal
Monterey Wine Competition, 2025
Gold Medal Pacific Rim Int'l Wine Competition, 2025

Following ZD’s signature style of producing big, ripe, fruit-forward wines, we sourced the grapes from small, organically certified vineyards, each with its own unique “terroir.” Each vineyard lot was fermented separately in small open-top fermenters and punched down three times a day, ensuring a gentle but effective extraction of color and tannins.

The individual lots were then aged in small American Oak cooperage for a year until final blending. The wine was returned to barrel and aged for an additional year before bottling.

This wine has a beautiful, deep ruby color with nuanced aromas blending cassis, anise, cola, black cherry pie, and subtle hints of baking spices complemented with cedar and vanilla. On the palate, red and dark fruits are forward and bright with fine, well-integrated tannins that gives it an unctuous mouthfeel. Lingering hints of blackberry, cocoa and toasty vanilla round out the long, lush finish. The balance of this wine leads to it drinking wonderfully now and it will continue to develop more complexity with age.

Winemaker Description 

The 2020 Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon has a dull cherry red colour with purple shimmers. The nose unfolds notes of strawberries, ripe black cherries, cassis, accompanied by cloves, marzipan and some mint, tarragon and rosemary notes, all framed by pleasant touches of caramel and chocolate.

The palate is predominated by ripe red fruits and sweet notes that recall spices like cloves and some vanilla, chocolate, roasted coffee and cedar. It is a wine of great structure and juiciness with round tannins, crowned by an excellent persistence.

The Errazuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 is an outstanding selection, delivering power, elegance, and complexity for a great price.

OwenBargreen.com: 93 Points “The 2023 ‘Santa Cruz Mountains’ Cabernet Sauvignon has 15% Merlot blended in. It is refined and elegant on the tongue, as the toasty oak caresses a gorgeous core of dark currants, black cherry compote and espresso bean notes alongside gravelly soils. Very fresh and vibrant, with terrific acidity, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035.” -Owen Bargreen (June 2025).

Vinous Media: 93 Points “The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Cruz Mountains) is a blend of fruit from the Monte Bello estate and a few neighboring vineyards (Bates, Vidovich and Fellom) aged for 16 months in 100% American oak. Taut and structured, the 2023 opens with dark fruit, cracked pepper, smoked meat, tobacco leaf and cedar, all enshrouded in firm, chalky tannins that lead to a long, savory finish. This is a very fine access point to the Ridge house style at a more approachable price. As a note, this cuvée has existed in various iterations in the past, and was the original designation for what eventually became Ridge’s Estate Cabernet.” -Billy Norris (September 2025).

Wine Enthusiast: 93 Points + Cellar Selection “This bottling, which includes 15% Merlot and 4% Petite Verdot, marks the return of an appellation blend to the Ridge lineup. Aromas of black plum, clove and ajwain draw in the nose, while the palate picks up licorice and more black plum alongside a firm structure.” -Matt Kettmann (December 2025 Issue).

Wine Advocate: 92 Points “Including contracted fruit from Bates Ranch, Fellom Ranch and Vidovich, along with additions from Monte Bello, the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon marks the first return of this cuvée since 2007. A lush nose of sweet black fruits, pine needles, sage and a gourmand touch of vanilla pod introduces a soft, velvety and pliable palate, ending with a pure, mouthwatering finish framed by a subtle touch of woody tannins. Overall, it’s a solid, accessible and over-performing example of Santa Cruz Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, which includes 15% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot.” -Matthew Luczy (August 2025).

Wine Spectator: 92 Points “This sports a lively singed mesquite and savory aspect out front, with juicy and youthfully compact notes of red currant, bitter cherry and plum coulis held in check for now. Shows nicely chiseled tannins through the finish. A modicum of patience is needed. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2027 through 2038.” -James Molesworth (September 2025)

Winemaker Description 

Vibrant, focused, and expressive, with flavors of allspice, huckleberry and underbrush, our Cabernet mirrors the terrior of Redwood Valley's complex ecosystem. Graceful tannins sustain a velvety mouthfeel, with subtle violet notes on the finish. Pair with New York steaks and Gorgonzola butter or wild mushroom risotto.

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

The Wine Enthusiast 95 Points | Vasse Felix's self-titled middle range often represents the best value for money, in this reviewer's opinion. This is both an excellent example of the range's quality as well as of Margaret River's distinctive Cab style. Layered aromas of tangy redcurrant, raspberry and cranberry are woven with pencil lead, new pavement and tobacco leaf. There's a wonderful lift of crunchy currant fruit on the palate, which counterbalances the big smudgy, savory tannins.

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

This Cabernet Sauvignon offers an intense and deep color and nice aromas such a red fruit, pepper and tobacco. It has smooth tannins, very freshness and fruity, which gives the wine a good balance.

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.

The winemaking philosophy is that great wine begins in the vineyard. The belief is that sustainable vineyard practices will deliver exceptional fruit quality to the winery as well as real environmental benefits. The focus is on careful site selection, vine maturity, and high input viticulture, with a move towards biological farming principles.

Producer Description 

Our GOTT 2022 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon offers aromas of black cherry, blackberry, black currant, and cocoa, with subtle notes of cedar and sweet tobacco. On the palate, rich dark fruit flavors lead to complex, well-structured tannins on the mid-palate and are balanced by a long, elegant finish with delicate hints of dried herbs.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

Decanter 97 Points | A totally seductive, fresh, and vibrant 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Cathy Corison showcasing fragrant black cherry and blue fruit aromatics, a hint of liquorice and incense, and toasty cedarwood. Medium to full-bodied, with silky boysenberry fruit, satiny tannins, a spine of tantalising acidity, and a long mineral-rich finish lifted by tangerine peel and grapefruit zest. Aged 20 months in French oak barrels, of which 50% were new. The winery has been a Napa staple almost since opening its doors in 1987.

Elaine Chukan Brown of The Wine Enthusiast writes 96 Points | A demonstration of restraint with depth focused on complexity, length, and poise. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon delivers flavors of cedar, firm black plum, and the lightest touch of coffee, lifted by aromatics of crushed fennel seed and hints of pink grapefruit. Tannins are powdery fine while persistent, carried into a long finish by mouthwatering acidity."

James Molesworth of The Wine Spectator wrtes 95 Points | This takes an elegant approach, offering racy, refined notes of iris, violet, hibiscus and mulberry that stay focused and fresh from start to finish, flashing light mineral and anise accents along the way. The finish glistens with purity, and the precision should allow this to evolve nicely in the cellar. Drink now through 2040.

Antonio Galloni of Vinous writes 93 Points | The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is gorgeous. Medium in body and super-expressive, the 2021 is a classic Cathy Corison wine. Pipe tobacco, cedar, crushed leaves and earthy tones all run through this wonderfully nuanced Cabernet Sauvignon. Readers will find an exquisite, alluring old-school Napa Cabernet that delivers the goods, big time. All the elements are so well balanced.

Winemaker Description 

In 2021, a small crop of tiny, tasty berries was the result of major drought, cool
weather at flowering in May, and a heat spike in June. Then moderate temperatures throughout the ripening season brought the fruit to balanced perfection. It’s my 35th vintage!

This wine is so pretty, with dried rose, violet and peony perfume. It’s joined by juicy bright red cherry, raspberry and darker plum, cassis and blackberry fruit notes. Dust, baking spices and hints of chocolate integrate with velvety tannins in seamless harmony. Mouthwatering natural acidity lends snappy balance and the flavors go on and on in the finish. ~ Cathy Corison

Winemaker Description 

BACA’s Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is an adventurous take on a classic—sourced from top Napa Valley vineyards, including some of the most prized sub-appellations. 

The wine has a dense hue of violet, and aromas of ripe cassis, lavender and warm blackberry pastries. The palate offers dense briar fruit, fine accessible tannins, and a touch of oak from aging lending a fresh expression of the varietal. This is a wine crafted to be enjoyed and cherished early in its life.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points | Inky red with a purple tinge, the 2020 L'Esprit Des Pavots is brooding with spice, black cherry preserve, forest earth, and black licorice. It’s full-bodied, rounded, and gushing with boysenberry, with a balance of sweet fruit and savory Sonoma character in its notes of tea leaf, wildflowers, and lightly toasted spices. Long on the palate, with ripe tannins and a good finish, it’s attractive now and will drink well over the next 10 years. 

James Suckling 93 Points | A fleshy and rich red with crushed berries, green pine needles, bark, orange peel and bark. Hints of walnuts, too. Full-bodied with round and polished tannins that are integrated and solid. Second wine. Drinkable now, but I would give it another two to three years of bottle age.

Vinous 91 Points | The 2020 L'Esprit des Pavots is mostly Knights Valley in this vintage. Bright and punchy, the 2020 offers lovely forward red-toned fruit followed by touches of mocha, dried flowers, mint, tobacco and cedar. This is a terrific second wine, especially considering the year. (AG)

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2013

The Wine Advocate 93 Points | The 2013 Alghero Marchese di Villamarina is a pricey wine but it is also an ambitious one. This pure expression of Cabernet Sauvignon was one of the first wines to put Sardinia on the world wine map. It is a symbol of the soaring aspiration of island viticulture in a modern context (remember, archaeological traces of the Mediterranean's oldest wines were found here). The wine possesses a dark and richly concentrated appearance with lingering aromas of dark fruit, spice and black olive. The mouthfeel is dense and compact with a dry, mineral-driven finish. This is a great wine from a classic vintage.

James Suckling 91 Points | Blackberry, dried-blueberry, dried-herb, earth and some smoked-meat aromas. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, well integrated tannins. Savory and flavorful finish. Drink or hold.

The Wine Spectator 91 Points | Featuring trim tannins, a delicate herbal overtone and a tangy, minerally underpinning, this elegant, medium- to full-bodied red displays a more traditional side, while pure notes of ripe black currant, spice box, citrus and pomegranate provide harmony and pleasure. Drink now through 2025.

Winemaker Description 

Rich, majestic red in color. On the nose, intense and mellow with remarkable red fruit fragrances. The palate demonstrates classic flavors of Cabernet with accents of vanilla, black currant, soft grained tannins with a lingering finish.

A match for top quality steaks, red meats, and game.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022 

James Suckling 94 Points: Bright, lifted, black and red fruits with aromas of dark cherries, damson plums, cedar box and fresh herbs. The full-bodied palate has a supple, rounded mouthfeel and softly integrated tannins. 91% cabernet sauvignon with smatterings of the other main Bordeaux varieties. Lively and approachable yet plush with plenty of years ahead.

Vinous Media 92 Points: The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is terrific, especially for a wine of its level and production. Aromatic, medium in body and impeccably balanced, the 2022 is seriously impressive. It is perhaps a bit more floral and lighter than most years, but its balance and overall harmony are beyond reproach. This is a strong showing. New oak is 45%, 27% French and 18% American.

Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points: The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is based on 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Merlot brought up in French and American oak. Classy red and black fruits, vanilla oak, tobacco, and graphite notes all define the aromatics, and it's ripe, rounded, and nicely textured, with good mid-palate density and a good finish.

The Wine Advocate 90 Points: The Joseph Phelps 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon is dominated by fruit from Yountville and Suscol; only 21% of the blend is from growers, as there's a push toward estate fruit. As always, there's some American oak in the mix, but that proportion is evolving downward. Redcurrants and cherries are joined by gentle dusty earth notes and hints of vanilla and cedar on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is a bit more dusty and drying than the 2021, yet it remains soft and approachable.rr

Winemaker Description 

Charles Woodson’s Intercept Wines has released a one-time, Limited-Edition Hall of Fame Cabernet Sauvignon to commemorate Charles Woodson’s enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

In 2019, Woodson launched the Intercept Wines brand and the team prepared to have the 2018 vintage ready for 2021 should he become a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

“When we found out Charles was eligible to be selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, we were eager to make a commemorative wine to celebrate the occasion,” said Intercept winemaker Amanda Gorter. “We wanted to create something special that truly embodied the sentiment of greatness from grape to glass.”

The 2018 Limited Edition Hall of Fame Cabernet Sauvignon from four premier districts in California’s Paso Robles AVA: Adelaida, Estrella, El Pomar, and Willow Creek. It is a full-bodied winewith bold tannins and exquisite structure, and can be enjoyed today or laid down to age.

The limited production resulted in 6,500 bottles, an homage to his 65 career interceptions. His career accolades are etched onto the bottle, and a note from Woodson lines the inside of the soft-touch matte black gift box.

Woodson explained, “Intercept has created this Hall of Fame Edition Cabernet Sauvignon – very fitting for this special time in my life! I’m sharing this moment with you because when I go in, we all go in!”

Winemaker Description

The wine is medium bodied and moderate in tannin, with some beautiful suppleness to the mid-palate that reflects the moderate summer, accompanied by a touch of extra richness from the hot autumn weather. 100% Certified organic and dry farmed.

Expert Review

James Suckling 91 Points | Aromas of crushed herbs, sliced plums, blackcurrants and violets. Full-bodied with powdery tannins. Bright acidity pairs nicely with the fresh red fruit on the palate. Could use another year to come together. Best after 2023. (2020).

Expert Reviews

100 points Wine Enthusiast  | There's something so alluring and enticing about the Fay, named for Nathan Fay, who first planted Cabernet Sauvignon in what is now Stags Leap District back in 1961. It shows old-school dust, clove and graphite, with secondary hints of violet, sage and tree bark."

95 points James Suckling | Concentrated, with lots of black and purple fruit and crushed violets. Broodingly dark and youthful at this stage, but remains elegant. Fleshy, dense and full-bodied with a mouthful of finely polished tannins that dissipate into the black fruit. Silky, opulent texture here, with fresh, medium acidity. Try in 2025."

 94 points Decanter | Fragrant violet florals, ripe berry fruit and dusty minerality lift out of the glass along with heady sweet oak spices. Saturated red and black fruit flavors with Chinese five spice, sandalwood and pulverized rocks. Firm, fine-grained tannins glide to a chocolatey finish."

93 points Wine Spectator  | Packed with bramble, blackberry and black currant pâte de fruit notes, this has good energy, while lacings of licorice and mocha fill out the finish. Lots of immediate appeal here, but there's no rush. Drink now through 2035."

92 points Wine Advocate  | The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Fay Vineyard offers a perfumed nose marked by delicate purple raspberry notes and a touch more herbal, tea-like nuances than the 2018. It's medium to full-bodied in the mouth but delicate and elegant, with a long, silky finish.

Winemaker Description

We embraced the structure up front when making this wine because we wanted a strong phenolic profile to bind with and stabilize the tannin. Baking spices (clove and cinnamon) with a kiss of oak.

Ripe black fruit on the palate, black currant and blackberry. A hint of vanilla and smooth tannins on the plush finish.

Winemaker Description

There is so much perfume in this wine: fresh flowers and lavender are bolstered by ripe plum, sandalwood and cherry compote. There’s also an incredibly appealing note of Earl Grey or bergamot that lifts the entire aromatic profile. Lingering behind the fruit is where the action starts as black pepper, vanilla, crushed rock and soy are revealed.

Farming requires optimism. That’s especially true in viticulture, given the timeline to transition bare ground into a finished wine.

At a minimum, it takes three years from gently hand-planting each individual vine to the first harvest. However, that initial crop is quite small and it will be another two to three years before the vines really hit their stride. After harvest, fruit destined for the Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon will spend an additional two years in barrel before bottle aging in our cellar prior to release. At best, it’s six solid years of farming, winemaking and cellaring before we can pull that first cork. That type of commitment requires a fundamental belief in ourselves, our work and our mission.

We have to believe that going the extra mile, pushing a little harder and accounting for every small detail is not only worth it, but will be appreciated years from now. Moreover, we have to be curious, creative and daring for the future of each wine and the land we steward. In short, we have to believe that the future will be better and we cherish our small contribution.

Winemaker Description

This Cabernet Sauvignon is a deep and intense ruby red. On the nose are notes of plum, currants and cherries with toasted notes from oak ageing. On the palate this wine is elegant and soft with a fresh and persistant finish.