Cabernet Sauvignon Wine

Expert Reviews

95 Points James Suckling | Aromas of mint and currants with hints of fresh herbs. Then turns to plum jam. Full body, with well-integrated tannins and pretty fruit. Long and caressing. This is really outstanding. Better in 2017.

95 Points Wine Enthusiast | Giscours shows an initial character of great style and elegance. The shining fruit and concentrated tannins follow, making it both a seductive wine and one with a long-term future. Cellar Selection.

94 Points Wine Spectator | Features a lightly firm, singed alder frame around a core of dark plum, cherry and cassis bush notes. Taut tar and warm paving stone notes fill in on the finish. Shows serious, well-embedded grip, and the core of fruit is spot on. This has the range, length and cut for the cellar. Best from 2014 through 2030.

92+ Points Robert Parker | Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Giscours slips seductively out of the glass with notions of baked black cherries, mulberries and plum preserves plus hints of cassis, pencil lead and dried Provence herbs. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is toting a fair amount of oak with a sturdy frame of chewy tannins, coming through with a long, fruity finish. 

Winemaker Description

Folie à Deux Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a pure expression of its region. Concentrated aromas of graphite, boysenberry, dark cherry, a hint of menthols and black olive sit atop clove and brown sugar notes. Rich, round and robust in structure, this wine showcases ripe, concentrated flavors of dark fruit, complemented by chocolate, molasses, tobacco spice and a balanced finish.

Expert Review - Vintage 2020

94 points Wine Advocate | The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Fay Vineyard features lovely cherry fruit, interwoven with strands of dried herbs, hints of black cherries and a touch of vanilla. It's medium to full-bodied, round and generous yet focused, showing typical Cabernet restraint and structure, then finishing with gentle, silky tannins and a big, highly enjoyable whack of cassis."

94 points James Suckling  | Aromas of crushed blackcurrants and cocoa-dusted black cherries with purple flowers and chocolate undertones. Full body. Broad and opulent with compact, plush and well-integrated tannins. Attractive succulence and finesse with a firm, lingering finish and notes of bitter spices and violets to close."

91 points Jeb Dunnuck | The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Fay comes from a single vineyard in the Stags Leap District and is based on 98% Cabernet Sauvignon with 2% Cabernet Franc. Beautiful cr me de cassis, spring flowers, violets, and chalky mineral notes emerge on the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied, with beautifully integrated background oak, ripe tannins, and a great finish."

90 points Wine Spectator | Packs a core of boysenberry and plum puree notes, coated with melted licorice and backed by sweet toast on the finish. Offers a fine-grained feel, with a subtle tug of earth at the end. Drink now through 2035."

Winemaker Description

Since its inception, Claret has been the crown jewel of the Diamond Collection. This year’s Claret reflects a diversity of varietals and vineyards whose soils contribute to the wine’s complexity.

Diamond Collection wines are made from grapes grown across California and are carefully combined to create wines perfect for all occasions – including those special just because ones. 

Expert Rating

92 Points Tasting Panel | Packaged in a bottle wrapped in gold netting, this Cabernet Sauvignon-based red possesses an Old World essence with aromas of boysenberry and balsamic. But California sunshine douses the palate lined in slate, black pepper, and fennel, adding to the wine's character with ripe black plum, dark chocolate, and mulling spices. A creamy texture arises midway and melts across the mouth.

Winemaker Description

This Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon offers notes of blackberry, cassis, anise, fig, cardamom, fresh leather, graphite, dried herbs, and dusty cocoa. It is lush, rich, and round on the palate. A tense, dry wine with long finish.

Expert Review

93 Points James Suckling | Dense and dark, with aromas of cedar, cinnamon and black plums, then tight on the palate as bitter chocolate and black cherries are coated in firm, sandy tannins. Char and graphite accents build and linger on the finish. (2021). 

Winemaker Description 

Iconoclast Cabernet Sauvignon is artisanally crafted with bold, bright dark fruit flavors and hints of baking spice from 20 months of French oak aging. The wine expresses a lush texture with a long, smooth finish. Iconoclast Cabernet is a wine that epitomizes Napa Valley Cabernets.

The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon is a deep ruby red with purple hues on the rim. On the nose, aromas of ripe plums and cherries, powdered cocoa and a hint of mint and tobacco leaf. On the palate it is medium bodied with rich fruit on the front palate and lots freshness, bright acidity and a smooth and long satisfying finish.

Winemaker Description

The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic expression of Dalla Valle's unique terroir. The iron rich, core stone volcanic site comprised of Andesitic Basalt bring beautiful concentration and elegance to the wines each vintage. The 2020 is comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, always 100% estate blend. Notes of perfumed violet and bergamot on the nose harmonize with aromas of allspice and cassis. On the first sip you will find rich notes of blackberry, cocoa powder and cedar box carried by the undercurrent of plush and elegant tannins. An elongated finish allows you to experience the full complexities of this wine, which will have a long life ahead. 

Expert Reviews

96 Points James Suckling | So much blackberry and lead-pencil shavings. Hints of tar, too. Full-to medium-bodied with extremely well-crafted tannins that run the length of the wine. Hints of oak at the end, but this will come together nicely with bottle age. Slightly chewy now. Some salted caramel. (2020). 

95 Points Robert Parker | Black cherries, dark loam and cassis appear on the nose of Dalla Valle's 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, joined by hints of cedar and vanilla. It's medium to full-bodied, firm, tannic and sturdy but essentially ripe, with a softness to its structure that suggests early accessibility. The long, mocha-tinged finish lingers elegantly, a delicious capstone to a super wine.

94 Points Jeb Dunnuck | The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon is a solid step up, boasting a deep purple color as well as a brilliant bouquet of crème de cassis, graphite, liquid violets, and nicely integrated background oak. A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc, it hits the palate with medium to full body, ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish. It's up with the top wines I've tasted in the vintage.

93 Points Wine Spectator | This has showy violet, boysenberry and sweet bay leaf notes that leap to the fore, with good juicy energy tucked inside the core. Offers nice flow on the finish, which picks up a loamy accent while the fruit keeps the upper hand. Drink now through 2035. (2020). 

Winemaker Description

2019 embodies classic Hillside Select richness, vibrancy, and balance. The aromas push out of the glass, offering black cherry, cedar, cassis, and juicy red summer berries with lifted floral tones. Even at this youthful age, the complexity of the vintage is striking, merging dark fruit with tobacco, espresso, black olive, red plum, and black tea. The expansive mid-palate is complemented by ripe integrated tannins that add depth and structure, culminating in a long, profound finish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019 

98+ Points Jeb Dunnuck | The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is another magical vintage for this cuvée. All Cabernet Sauvignon from hillside vineyards on the eastern side of Stags Leap, it offers a vivid purple hue as well as extraordinary notes of cassis, black raspberries, violets, camphor, and spring flowers, with perfectly integrated background oak. Full-bodied but not massive, it’s flawlessly balanced on the palate and has ultra-fine tannins, a seamless, elegant mouthfeel, and a great, great finish. It’s another 30- to 40-year wine from this incredible team that readers will absolutely love. (2019).

98+ Points Robert Parker | Sourced from specific blocks of estate-grown fruit, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is another highly successful vintage. All Cabernet Sauvignon aged 32 months in 100% new French oak, it boasts intense aromas of pencil shavings, dark loam, cassis and plum on the nose, while the palate is full-bodied, super-ripe, rich, dense and concentrated—a truly impressive California vin de garde. Tannic but ripe, it finishes long and firm on the finish, adding a hint of mocha. To be released in September 2023, it's a strong showing and hopefully an indication that quality will remain high under the new ownership. (2019).

98 Points James Suckling | A beautiful nose of pitted cherries, redcurrants, fresh herbs and violets. Full-bodied with fine, structured tannins. More gravelly, mineral and dark than the nose lets on. Savory almost. Terrific depth and concentration that keeps the palate flavorful through the generous finish. Chocolate, sage, rosemary, bark and moss. Layered. Superb wine. Needs time to come together. Best after 2024 and onward. (2019).

98 Points Vinous | The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is one of the most elegant wines I have tasted at Shafer. Effusive aromatics and silky tannins are immediately captivating. Crushed red/purplish berry fruit, mint, spice, lavender and licorice are all finely knit. We will see, but the 2019 may very well represent a new direction for Hillside Select, one of Napa Valley's most iconic Cabernets. (2019).

97 Points Wine Enthusiast | This broad, rich and mouthfilling wine is Shafer’s most elite and collectible. Aged for 32 months in all-new French oak barrels, it boasts extra-ripe blackberries and blueberries, accents of mint, cedar and graphite, and a big structure of polished tannins. (2019).

94 Points Wine Spectator| A ripe, exuberant style, with generous plum cake, blackberry compote and açaí berry notes mixed with melted black licorice and a nicely polished, singed mesquite–accented finish. Hard to resist now (if you like the power style), but also has the energy to take some cellaring. (2019).

Winemaker Description

Dark fruit notes of blueberry and plum on the nose with hints of dried oregano. On the palate, this Cabernet segues from dark fruit notes to savory undertones, while showing off a silky texture. Full-bodied and dense in structure, the wine’s long finish is driven by firm tannins plus hints of cocoa and vanilla. 

The ensuing wine is amazingly complex and classic Napa Valley. The aroma is cedar, cola, dark black fruit and just a kiss of oak. The pallet is round, expansive, bright and complex with flavors of cocoa, coffee, fruit and herbs. The wine fills the mouth but isn't dominated by any one element and finishing amazingly bright for Cabernet Sauvignon. One of the great joys of making Cabernet is blending the wine before bottling and this wine was so very fun to combine just the right amount of Cabernet Sauvignon with its power, Cabernet Franc for the beautiful wild aroma and flavor, a touch of Merlot for the dusty plum character, Malbec for violet notes and Petit Verdot for color and tannin. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

This single-vineyard wine is produced solely from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes harvested from Allone Habashan Vineyard, which is located in the central Golan Heights at an elevation of 600 meters (2,000 feet). The vineyard’s basalt soils have high clay content (~40%), resulting in high water-holding capacity. The wine aged for 18 months in French oak barrels. 

Winemaker Descrption

J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon is dark and dense in color to the rim of the glass. Layered aromas of black cherry, currant and blueberry are accented by an authentic barrel-aged bouquet of dark chocolate, cocoa powder, and roasted coffee.

The palate peaks with high-toned red berry fruit, and follows with bright acidity and a full structure that is both dense and soft at once. 

Winemaker Description

Box Wine. This barrel aging, along with the red grapes' slow ripening process, imparts a pleasing complexity and depth of flavor to this Central Coast wine. With luscious flavors of ripe Bing cherries and blueberry, which are accented by toasty oak and hints of coffee and vanilla flavors, this delicious red wine pairs well with grilled lamb and steak, hearty pasta, strong cheeses, and a variety of other dishes. 

Feature this California red wine at a wine and cheese party, or enjoy a glass of wine on its own. This premium boxed wine features a convenient pour spout and includes directions on the outer package for opening the wine box and pouring a glass of wine. For optimal taste, store this 1.5 liter wine box at room temperature, but chill it for 30 to 60 minutes and serve cool at approximately 60 degrees. Robert Mondavi Private Selection: Here's to What's Next. Please enjoy our wines responsibly. © 2021 Robert Mondavi, Acampo, CA

Winemaker Description

A deep blend of red and purple colors and abundant aromas introduces us perfectly to this beautiful Cabernet. Rich and complex in flavour, notes of cherry and blackberry transition to mixed herbs, bramble and mocha, complemented by a delicious dimension of sweet fruit. Soft smooth on the palate, the 2021 Maitre D’ balances flavor and structure perfectly. 

Winemaker Notes

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 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

A rich bright red to crimson color, this wine has an intense nose with lifted vanilla aromatics balanced with red currants, violets, and mulberry fruits. It is a wine that is firm and full on the palate with a subtle sweetness giving a rich mouth feel. The vanilla aromatics carry through on the palate and compliment subtle flavors of red currants, dark cherries, and chocolate. The palate is filled with dark berry fruit and the soft tannins provide a lingering finish.

Winemaker Description

Psagot Cabernet Sauvignon Single Vineyard is the crowning achievement from this star boutique winery, providing a bright glimpse into the future of fine Israeli wine. No connoisseur of fine red wines from any part of the world should miss the experience of this impossibly opulent yet extremely graceful red stunner. Comparable to a cru classe Bordeaux or cult Napa Valley red (but likely at a lower price than its peers from those regions), the deep purple color foreshadows the dark berry and blackcurrant aromas that are framed by the richest vanilla of aging in premium barrels. The flavors--ripe, luscious black fruit, deep complex earth and toast extend seemingly forever along the velvety texture.

Open Psagot Cabernet Sauvignon Single Vineyard on a truly special occasion with Beef Wellington or rack of lamb.

Expert Reviews 

Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points | Lastly, this estate fashioned a solid 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Mohrhardt Ridge Vineyard, which comes from the Fort Ross-Seaview appellation, and you don’t see many Bordeaux varieties from this region. This inky-hued beauty offers lots of cassis and blueberry fruit as well as sappy green herbs, tobacco, and subtle cedar-like aromas and flavors. It’s medium-bodied and has ripe, building tannins, good overall balance, and a solid finish. It will benefit from another year or three of bottle age and should drink nicely for a solid decade. (2018). 

James Suckling 93 Points | Aromas of plump red and black fruit. Full-bodied with structured tannins and rich, opulent dark fruit. Chocolate and spice on the palate. Smoke and ash at the finish. Very tasty. Drink now or hold. (2018). 

Vinous 94 Points | The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Mohrhardt Ridge Vineyard is another super-distinctive wine in this range. A Cabernet of tremendous character and nuance, the Mohrhardt speaks with distinction. Rich, red berry fruit, rose petal, mint, spice and cedar infuse the Cabernet with striking inner sweetness and perfume. The 2019 feels unctuous and luxurious in the glass, and yet it has plenty of mountain savoriness. The Cabernet has so much sheer personality.  -- Antonio Galloni  (2018). 

Expert Review

Vinous 93 points The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Fellom Ranch is the most reticent of the Arnot-Roberts Cabernets. Intensely savory and earthy, the 2018 offers quite a bit of intrigue, but it will require considerable cellaring. Cedar, spice, tobacco and dried herbs lend notable complexity to the dark fruit flavors. The natural concentration of small berries with little juice and high solids gives the wine its dense, brooding feel. (AG) 93+  

Expert Reviews

James Suckling 93 Points | This is a balanced red, showing blackberry and bark with chili and some herbs. It’s medium-to full-bodied with nice drinkability and a succulent, flavorful finish. Iodine, pine needles, slate and graphite undertones. Subtle. 

Vinous 93 Points | The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Fission emerges from Alta Vista, on Moon Mountain. A dark, potent wine, the 2019 captures plenty of mountain energy in its savory, earthy flavor profile. Dark cherry, mocha, spice, new leather, licorice and chocolate all flesh out. My impression is that less new oak and longer élevage might bring out even more character. This is certainly an impressive debut from Mai Errazuriz and Rodrigo Soto. (AG)  

Winemaker Description

The 2017 is brighter and less brooding than typical Kronos vintages in their youth, with luscious, juicy cassis, luxardo cherry, blueberry and raspberry fruit. Signature blackberry pie flavors, complete with baking spices, proclaim a sense of place. Approachable now, the tannins provide a velvet grip. Grace notes include toasted almonds and hints of peppermint. Firm acidity and mineral verve keep it lively. Violets and dried rose petals are already perfuming the aromas. 

Expert Reviews

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Focused, with slightly high-toned vanilla and red licorice notes running along the edges of a red currant and plum preserve-filled core. A late flurry of sweet spice, black tea and incense on the finish adds a distinctive edge. Relies on freshness and acidity, more than outright grip. Cellar this for a bit. Best from 2023 through 2034. 

Wine Enthusiast 95 Points | Tangy in red fruit, tangerine, grapefruit and a hint of iron, this vineyard-designate imparts bold, concentrated intensity within a restrained and balanced package of brightness and verve. From a relatively warm vintage and warm location, it retains nuance, elegance and length, with structure to age. Enjoy this impressively made wine best from 2027–2037 Cellar Selection.

Wine Advocate 95 Points | Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Kronos Vineyard needs a little coaxing to reveal enticing notes of freshly crushed black cherries, redcurrant jelly and wild blueberries with a undercurrent of cassis, allspice, sandalwood and rose oil plus a touch of garrigue. The medium-bodied palate has a real skip in its step, with delicately played, bright, energetic black and red berry layers, supported by fine-grained tannins and tons of freshness, finishing long and perfumed. 

James Suckling 96 Points |  Beautiful blueberry and lavender aromas. Violets, too. So perfumed. Medium to full body and very fine, focused tannins. Purity and beauty to the wine. Pretty length. Drinkable now, but much better after 2024. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

The Wine Advocate 95+ Points |  A whopping 94% Cabernet Sauvignon but not labeled as such, Alpha Omega's 2021 ERA Red Wine is the 2,380-case flagship of the winery. As you might expect, it's dark, nearly impenetrable in color, with similarly opaque aromas that hint at camphor, creosote, cedar and cassis. Weighing in at 14.8% alcohol (on the label), it's very nearly full-bodied, with ample concentration, ripe but dense tannins and a lingering but somewhat astringent finish. Give this one some time in the cellar.

Wine Enthusiast 95 Points | Juicy and richly interwoven with a fresh underlay of acidity, this powerhouse blend is substantially etched in cassis, plum and red currant. The oak and tannin are equally substantial and present, contributing weight, breadth and length. This will do well to cellar; enjoy best from 2027-2032.

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points | The flagship 2021 ERA (which is also the largest production release of these top cuvées) checks in 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, and 2% Malbec that was brought up in 50% new French oak. It's a more inward, concentrated 2021 revealing a deep ruby/purple hue as well as rocking black raspberry and blueberry fruits supported by background spicy oak, violets, and chalky minerality. This concentrated, medium to full-bodied, nicely balanced 2021 shows the slightly toned-down style of all these latest 2021s, yet it excels on its purity and finesse. It's going to benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age yet evolve for 15-20 years.

Winemaker Description

Our 2011 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is an elegant representation of Napa Valley Cabernet from a cool vintage. It presents an opaque garnet hue in the glass and reveals aromas of sandalwood and roasted meats.

Flavors of vanilla, coffee beans and raspberries are buttressed by dusty tannins, firm acidity and a mouth-coating texture. Given proper cellaring, this wine should provide drinking pleasure through 2029.

Winemaker Description

The 2018 Blank has a beautifully layered dark nose of black cherry, aromatic black tea, blackberry bramble, rose oil, black licorice, and violet candies. The silky entry opens to flavors of black fruit, culinary bay, and bakers’ chocolate seamlessly underpinned by velvety tannins and lovely texture through to the finish. This wine will age effortlessly for at least 20+ years. 

Expert Reviews

Jeb Dunnuck 95 points | I was able to taste two wines from Grace Family both made by the incredibly talented Helen Keplinger who has been at this estate since 2014. The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Blank offers a beautifully pure elegant style in its darker currant and blueberry fruits as well as notes of iron minty herbs tobacco and lead pencil. Soft supple medium to full-bodied and as seamless as they come drink this singular beauty any time over the coming 20 years. I love its mid-palate as well as its tannins.

James Suckling 98 points | So much graphite and dark fruit here with some iron and spice. Lead pencil, roses and light mint, too. Full-bodied and wonderfully seamless with dusty tannins and a lightly balsamic finish. Drinkable now, but better after 2025. 

Wine Spectator 93 | A nice burst of mulberry and loganberry fruit leads the way, with licorice, black tea and violet notes playing supporting roles. Sleek and refined through the finish, with sneaky depth. Drink now through 2033

Erin Brooks of the Wine Advocate writes 97+ Points |  The 2019 Soul Of A Lion is a blend of free-run Cabernet Sauvignon (77%), Cabernet Franc (14%), and Petit Verdot (9%), aged 22 months in 100% new French oak. Opaque ruby in color, it offers aromatic contrast between dark, savory cherry fruit, chargrill and graphite, and top notes of green pepper and rose petals. The palate explodes with detailed flavors and its tannins are already resolved and chocolaty, with seamless acidity and exotic spicy layers emerging on the extended finish. Wow! Drinking 2022 -2042.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2016

Wine Spectator 95 Points | This throws off an overt and alluring mint aroma, while sweet bay leaf, violet, damson plum, red tea and steeped griotte notes all glide through together, carried by remarkably fine-grained tannins. Ends with a gentle echo of mint on the finish, while a subtle minerality chimes through as well. A stylish and suave wine, with plenty of charm now, but also pristine balance for cellaring. Best from 2022 through 2038.

Wine Advocate 96 Points | The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's Vineyard barely hints at eucalyptus on the nose, with much more emphasis given to black cherries and cassis. This is full-bodied and rich, nicely balancing richness and texture against linear shape and focus and picking up hints of blueberries and spice on the long, mouthwatering finish. With 112 barrels having been bottled, there's a fair bit of this wine to go around, if one can afford it.