Cabernet Sauvignon Wine

Expert Ratings 

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. 

Winemaker Description

2018 is a spectacular vintage that started off beautifully with abundant spring rains. The generous summer sun and cooler marine influences from San Pablo Bay created the ideal conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon. Lot C-91 continues to embody the legacy of Heitz Cellar and the vision for this wine that began in 1969. The fruit comes only from their prized single vineyards and is blended after each parcel has had the opportunity to show its true potential, allowing their winemaker, Brittany Sherwood to select only the most expressive barrels to make the final Cuvee. Always made in the classical style that Joe Heitz pioneered in the early 1960s.

Expert Reviews

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Expressive, with a bold menthol note followed quickly by boysenberry and blackberry compote flavors wrapped in black licorice. The long finish has a tug of earth amid a generally velvety feel, while the menthol note curls around the fruit. Distinctive. (2018).

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Expressive, with a bold menthol note followed quickly by boysenberry and blackberry compote flavors wrapped in black licorice. The long finish has a tug of earth amid a generally velvety feel, while the menthol note curls around the fruit. Distinctive. (2018).

Robert Parker 92 Points | There's a gentle herbaceousness to the cherry fruit in Heitz's 2018 Lot C-91, making it a bit more like redcurrant than true cherry. A blend of fruit from Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena and Howell Mountain, it's medium-bodied but more expansive and generous than the regular bottling, with a nice touch of velvet layered in on the mid-palate and a long, fruit-driven finish.

 

Winemaker Description

The result of a nearly perfect, long and cool ripening season (and oblivious to the Covid chaos swirling around it), the 2020 was picked and in the barn fully two and a half weeks before the Glass Fire broke out. Industrial-grade air filters kept smoke out of the winery as the wines went down to barrels. We are so grateful, and relieved, to present the lovely 2020.

This wine is wildly complex with tart cherry, blueberry, red and black currants, raspberry, plum and boysenberry fruit, fleshed out with notes of baking spices and peppermint. The tannins are characteristically polite yet grippy. Mineral notes add lift and the evolving violet perfume is so pretty. - Cathy Corison.

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2020 

Decanter 96 Points | Medium to full-bodied beautiful and restrained with savoury aromatics of fennel black liquorice cedar and black currants. Soft satiny blackberry fruits are lifted by fine-grained yet supple tannins while a purity of fruit guides the palate to a long tobacco-tinged finish marked by a mineral-freshness that beckons sip after sip. 100% Cabernet aged 18 months in 50% new French oak barrels. (Drink between 2023-2035. (2020).

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Distinctive, with a vivid display of mulberry, pomegranate and plum fruit aromas and flavors that glide through easily, carried by a silky but persistent structure. Reveals nice floral nuances through the finish, with a late twinge of iron, too. (2020). 

James Suckling 92 Points | Quite fruit-expressive and floral with spiced dark cherries rust baked plums hibiscus and violet extract on the nose. Rich and fruity with tart cherries cassis and dried herbs on the palate. Full-bodied and juicy with silky tannins that smoothen it out. Drink or hold.

The Wine Advocate 91 Points | Corison fans should enjoy the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon. Gentle herbal streaks run through the wine's classic black cherries and cassis fruit. Medium-bodied sleek and streamlined it shows vibrant energy and ample length framed by gentle silky tannins.

Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points | The base 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon is pretty with a medium-bodied elegant style as well as lots of sappy herbs flowers and currant-driven aromatics fine tannins and nicely integrated acidity. Drink this balanced satisfying old school Cabernet over the coming 10-12 years or so. This Cuv e spent 18 months in 50% new oak.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 97 Points | Outstanding balance and complexity from the beginning that showcases concentrated black fruits and purple flowers with plenty of spices and subtle yet harmonious toast and cedar aromas. Intense graphite and stony minerality, too. Full- to medium-bodied on the mid-palate with delightful acidity that gives this wonderful crunchiness. Fine-grained juicy tannins. Precisely focused wine that is colorful and sound. Beautiful length, too. Already so drinkable now but will age gracefully, especially for Atlas Peak.

Winemaker Description 

A beautiful fruit profile and has rich concentrated aromas of black cherry and black currants which are complimented by a touch of earth and minerals unique to this vineyard

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 Reviews - Vintage 2019

James Suckling 93 Points | Cassis, dried blueberries, violets, ink, graphite, dried leaves and cigar box on the nose. Full-bodied with firm, polished tannins. Smooth and supple with excellent balance and length. Drink from 2023.

Decanter 91 Points | Aromas of cassis, cigar box and cocoa. Concentrated palate, with chocolate-covered cherry fruit flavours and fine-grained tannins. Lovely acidity. Blend : 99% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc.

Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points | A terrific, well-priced Napa Cabernet, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Artemis has a great nose of pure cassis fruits as well as tobacco, spring flowers, and a touch wet stone and graphite. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has a good sense of elegance and ripe tannins.

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.

This wine is sourced from some of our finest Cabernet vineyards in Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino counties. Bright cherry and currant aromas are echoed in the elegant flavors, that are accented by vanilla, cedar and anise notes. A mouth-filling wine, this Cabernet is amazingly soft and drinkable. Grilled or sauteed steaks with peppercorns and hearty stews fare well with this lush, young wine. Great with cheeses as well! Winemaker Description.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022 

Tasting Panel 91 Points | Blended with Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Petite Sirah, this French oak- aged red produces bold notes of tobacco, blackberry, and sandalwood. Savory notes are amplified by graphite for a fine textural experience.

Winemaker Description 

Inviting warm aromas featuring notes of violets, pomegranate, herbes de Provence, cedar, and baker’s chocolate. A soft mouthfeel with supple and concentrated flavors of plum, cherry cola and blackberry pie filling, all supported by melting, dusty tannins.

Pair with baked feta and plum tomatoes drizzled with olive oil and served over pasta.

Winemaker Description

Expert Reviews

Vinous Antonio Galloni 97 Points | The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is sure to make Dunn fans happy. Powerful and ample, it marries the natural intensity of the year with the savoriness that makes Howell Mountain Cabernets so distinctive. Dark blue/purplish fruit, graphite, spice, leather, dried herbs and lavender imbue the 2017 with striking intensity and character. I can't wait to see how it ages. The 2017 is a positively stunning edition of the Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon.  Drinking 2027 - 2047.

Robert Parker Joe Czerwinski 96 Points | Already more open than the 2018 Howell Mountain, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain boasts slightly piney, resinous herb notes—thyme and rosemary—along with classic cassis and blueberry fruit. Yes, there's a cedary coat of oak, but the fruit comes through loud and clear, adding a rich, velvety textural component and mouthwatering berry flavors on the lingering finish.  Drinking 2025 - 2040  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 96+

Wine Spectator James Molesworth 95 Points | Fresh ripe cassis, blackberry and plum fruit flavors course through, carried by tar and apple wood notes that are well-embedded, giving this a muscular but sleek feel. Features a great tug of dark earth and licorice snap on the palate-staining finish. Best from 2023 through 2038. 

 

Winemaker Description

Our second coolest micro-climate is our five-acre Gravelly Meadow vineyard. Originally a pre-historic river bed, this stony, gravelly soil drains rapidly and the vines struggle for moisture.

Gravelly Meadow is our lowest yielding vineyard. The wines are described as "earthy, cedary, jammy and ripe blackberry with a spicy expansive finish.

Winemaker Description

Medium-bodied with juicy flavors of berry and black cherry with soft tannins for a smooth finish. Enjoy with wild mushroom risotto or slow-cooked beef stew.

Expert Review - Vintage 2018 

Wine & Spirits Magazine 93 Points | Meghan Zobeck makes this wine with cabernet from Burgess’s Sorenson Vineyard, a west-facing parcel on Howell Mountain, blending in a small amount of petit verdot and malbec from Haymaker, an eastfacing vineyard slightly higher in elevation. Aged mostly in neutral French oak barrels (15 percent were new), this developed a textural grace without the weight of oak tannins, feeling airy in its richness. There’s darkness to the fruit and a marrow-bone savor, ending light and breezy.

Winemaker Description 

This Cabernet Sauvignon from Binyamina exhibits a bold and rich structure with inviting red fruit aromas. Full-bodied, slightly herbal, fruity, blackberries on the palate. Long, smooth and elegant finish. Best served with light meat dishes such as veal schnitzel and seafood baked in olive oil and herbs and rich ripe cheeses.

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 

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 Review - Vintage 2022

The Tasting Panel 91 Points | Blended with Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Petite Sirah, this French oak- aged red produces bold notes of tobacco, blackberry, and sandalwood. Savory notes are amplified by graphite for a fine textural experience.

Winemaker Description 

Inviting warm aromas featuring notes of violets, pomegranate, herbes de Provence, cedar, and baker’s chocolate. A soft mouthfeel with supple and concentrated flavors of plum, cherry cola and blackberry pie filling, all supported by melting, dusty tannins.

Pair with baked feta and plum tomatoes drizzled with olive oil and served over pasta.

Producer Description 

Dark and luscious, the 2022 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.

Winemaker Description 

100% unoaked organic Cabernet Sauvignon from the Los Guindos vineyard in Maipo Valley, Chile. Made with naturally farmed grapes, it’s a pure and captivating low intervention wine.

Fermented with native yeasts and aging in stainless steel to preserve its freshness and fruit notes. Very low dosage of sulfites applied only before bottling. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

Vinous 96 Points | The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Catena Alta, sourced from Agrelo in Luján de Cuyo, also includes 7% Cabernet Franc. Aged for up to 18 months in French oak barrels, both new and used, this garnet wine with a purple sheen reveals balsamic and spicy notes intertwined with a black fruit core. Further hints of blueberry and currants layer atop a subtle oak backdrop. Dry and plush on the palate, the juicy and supple texture lingers with a fragrant and enduring flavor—a rich yet nuanced continental Cabernet.

James Suckling 92 Points | Plenty of fruit with dark olives, white pepper, tamarind and lots of cherries. Fruity and juicy on the palate, showing a medium body and a firm, lightly chewy finish.

Winemaker Description 

The Catena Cabernet Sauvignon shows a dark ruby color with violet tones. On the nose, it offers intense aromas of ripe raspberries, and cassis with notes of pepper and clove. On the palate, it is full-bodied and rich and displays layers of black currant and black raspberry with notes of cedar, tobacco and leather. This Cabernet Sauvignon is an elegant wine with silky tannins that provide structure and a long and persistent finish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

James Suckling 100 Points | Firmly structured, age-worthy and so focused and deep in black fruit, this is an especially impressive wine from a highly rated year. Aromas of mint, cedar, star anise, charcoal and graphite, then blackberries, dark spices, blueberries and toast. Massive but fine-grained tannins that carry the intensity through to a lingering finish. Full bodied.

Jeb Dunnuck 98+ Points | Darker currants, smoked tobacco, crushed stone, and graphite notes all give the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon a Latour-like stature and regalness, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a deep, layered mouthfeel, and a great finish. One of the more inward and structured examples of this cuvée that I can remember, it's nevertheless flawlessly balanced, has everything in the right place, and is just a magical Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon that every reader would love to have in their cellar. It should have half a century of overall longevity.

The Wine Advocate 97+ Points | Tasted as the final blend, which was scheduled to be bottled in December 2023, Bryant's 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon combines mint, sage, crushed stone, pencil shavings, cherries and cassis on the nose. Is it perhaps just a bit more complex than the Bettina? It's certainly just as powerful and concentrated, being full-bodied and richly tannic but ripe, silky and almost never-ending on the finish. Personal preference will play heavily into which of the two wines you enjoy more, but both are packed with pleasure.

Vinous 94+ Points | Tasted from a base blend, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most embryonic, young 2021s I have tasted. At this stage, this is dense and packed to the core, with notable fruit intensity and equally potent tannins. It's an exciting wine, but also incredibly youthful. I very much admire the energy here.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

The Wine Enthusiast 95 Points | A full-bodied while refined Cabernet Sauvignon, the TD9 cuvée delivers the strength and generosity so characteristic of Shafer wine. Aromas and flavors of cassis, ripe blackberries and freshly cracked pine fill the mouth, leading into a lengthy and expressive finish of graphite and warming spices.

James Suckling 94 Points | So full-bodied, broad and ripe-tasting. It gives a mouthful of indulgent fruit flavors on an agreeable texture. Moderate to full tannins lift dark plum, dried cherry, subtle vanilla bean and cocoa accents.

The Wine Advocate 91 Points | Named for the tractor acquired with the original property in 1973, Shafer's 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon TD-9 blends fruit from the estate with purchased fruit to provide an entry-level Cabernet Sauvignon. A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 4% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot, aged in 100% new French oak, it does offer plenty of vanilla and spice shadings to balance the cherry fruit. Full-bodied and velvety-textured, it offers plenty of pleasure for what amounts to a fair price within the Napa scheme of things.

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 

Elijah is a Hebrew prophet who is remembered in Jewish customs. During the Passover Seder, the well-known tradition is to pour a cup of wine and open the front door to invite Elijah’s presence into the home.

Elijah by Manischewitz Cabernet Sauvignon, from the Curicó Valley in Chile, showcases vibrant fruit aromas of black cherry and dark plum, with a long finish. 

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 Review - Vintage 2022

James Suckling 92 Points | Complex nose showing ashy blackcurrants, grilled dark spices, briars and cigar box. Full-bodied on the palate with a mouthful of fine, dusty tannins. Structured and very long. Showing lots of potential. Drink from 2025.

Jesica Vargas of The Wine Enthusiast writes 91 Points | This is a delicious and fresh Cabernet Sauvignon from Luján de Cuyo. A note of black pepper adds spice to a bouquet of ripe strawberries and red plums. Similar fruit flavors and leafy notes burst on the palate. It has a fine texture, with red berries shaping its tasty finish. 

Winemaker Description 

Quite dark and earthy spice, a touch of dark chocolate, a touch of ethereal coolness, black pepper, and a hint of truffle spice.

But what a mineral, almost chalky grip and the inviting freshness of acidity. It's pure, precise, unvarnished, with edges and corners, and the acidity is top-notch; you just have to like it.

An incredibly nervy, yet racy style, despite the power. Has the potential to age for a very long time. Wow.

 

Winemaker Description 

Beit El Or Yakar Cabernet Sauvignon is made from estate-grown grapes in Israel’s central mountain range. Aged for 12 months in new French oak barrels, this wine has a deep purple-black color and concentrated flavors.

Expect tastes of plum and warm blackberries, complemented by pleasant tannins and a long finish. This complex yet approachable Cabernet Sauvignon is both enjoyable now and suitable for aging.

Winemaker Description 

Enticing red plum and chocolate aromas, with soft red fruit flavors will complement your culinary prowess with hearty stews, classic pastas, and grilled red mea

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.