California Wine

The 2023 Far Niente Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon opens with vibrant aromas of black cherry, black currant, and dark plum, layered with notes of rose petal, caramel, and toasted oak. On the palate, the wine is coating and expansive, unfolding in waves of ripe blackberry, spiced cherry, and cassis. Fine-grained tannins and juicy acidity create balance and lift, while hints of bay leaf, cocoa, and sweet oak weave through the long, supple finish of juicy, spiced cherry. Blend: 92.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7.4% Petit Verdot. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2021

The Wine Enthusiast 91 Points |  This wine is concentrated, with aromas of blueberry, olallieberry, clove, violet and notes of dried vanilla bean on the nose. The flavors on the palate are boysenberry, black currant confiture, paprika and orange cream, with dry, grippy tannins to finish.

Memo Summary Notes

Matchbook "The Arsonist" 2021 is a high-intensity, "left of center" series from the Giguiere family in the Dunnigan Hills of Yolo County, California. While the series includes a Chardonnay and a Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2021 Red Blend is the most widely acclaimed release this year, having earned high marks for its bold, concentrated style.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Ken's Wine Guide | This slightly cloudy midnight purple colored Zinfandel from Once and Future opens with a blackberry and red licorice bouquet with hints of red plum, black cherry, dried sage, and violets. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied with integrated medium acidity. The mouthfeel is balanced, round, and smooth. The flavor profile is blackberry, stone dust, and cinnamon blend with notes of boysenberry, black plum and nutmeg. We also detected hints of black tea and oak. The finish is dry, and its well-managed moderate tannins are very nicely sustained. The Tasting Panel would then pair this Zin with a nice New York strip steak along with a dark chocolate mousse. Enjoy – 

Vinous 91 Points | The 2022 Zinfandel Green & Red Vineyard is another wine in this range that is pretty closed today. It has plenty of energy, but the mid-palate is not quite as developed as it is in most vintages. Bottled on the early side, this feels a bit like it’s not fully developed. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

The Wine Advocate 99 Points | Colgin's 2021 IX Estate is a rich, opulent example, with layers of ripe black cherries and dark chocolate punctuated by hints of sage and bay leaf, plus some vaguely floral notes (violets?). Full-bodied, concentrated, velvety and long, it's another terrific wine that showcases the potential of Pritchard Hill, the investment by the owners and the talent of the winemaking team.

James Suckling 99 Points | Red currant, lead pencil and terra cotta aromas with some bay leaf and sage. Full-bodied with tight, firm tannins that are polished and very fine. Turns to graphite. Extremely long, refined, polished and exquisite. Best after 2028.

98+ Points Jeb Dunnuck | I’d wager a Napa Valley legend in the making, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon IX Estate comes from the estate vineyard on Pritchard Hill, and if there was ever a classification of terroirs in the valley, this would check in near the top of the list. Deep purple-hued, with awesome aromatics of pure cassis, graphite, crushed stone, and subtle floral hints, this has that rare mix of power and elegance that defines so many great wines. Full-bodied, concentrated, and flawlessly balanced, it has no shortage of structure and is going to need 7-8 years, if not a decade, to hit full maturity, where it will hold for 2-3 decade.

98 Points Vinous | The 2021 IX Estate is such an elegant wine. Sleek, aromatic and refined, the 2021 is one of the most polished young wines I have tasted from this site. Red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal and mint abound. Silky and delineated, the 2021 is exceptionally beautiful and balanced. Clean saline notes and veins of tannin extend the explosive, sublime finish. 

Winemaker Description 

One of the "cult" producers to crop up in the early 1990s, Colgin Cellars' first vintage was in 1992, with fruit purchased from the Herb Lamb Vineyard, located on the lower slopes of Howell Mountain, just low enough not to be part of the Howell Mountain AVA. Colgin would later go on to buy land and develop vineyards at Tychson Hill (westside Saint Helena, purchased 1996) and IX Estate (Pritchard Hill, purchased in 1998). In 2017, Ann Colgin and her husband, Joe Wender, sold a controlling interest in Colgin Cellars to LVMH but remain active in the business.

Today, Colgin owns six acres of vines at Tychson Hill and 20 acres of vines at IX Estate, with 11 more acres there currently being developed. Cariad comes primarily from the Abreu-farmed Madrona Ranch, on the western side of Saint Helena. Director of Winemaking Allison Tauziet has been with Colgin since 2005, when she joined as assistant winemaker, so she is nearing 20 years of experience with these wines.

To put the new-release 2021s in perspective, Colgin, Wender and Tauziet presented three vintages each of the four wines reviewed this issue—2016, 2018 and 2021. I guess it will surprise no one that these are all gorgeous wines, given the positive press and numerous accolades bestowed on previous vintages, but it is encouraging to see that success and age hasn't slowed down the Colgin team's pursuit of excellence. I've included my ratings and reviews of the older vintages so readers can compare my impressions to those of my predecessor. Like many other producers, Colgin bottled no wines in 2020. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

Vinous 95 Points | The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is rich, racy and super-expressive. Silky and deep, with notable resonance, the 2021 offers up dark red/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, menthol, new leather and licorice. Today, it is a very young wine in need of cellaring, but its potential is evident. Dollops of Petit Verdot and Malbec round out the blend. This should be positively stellar.

Winemaker Description 

The nose of the 2021 PlumpJack Estate Cabernet Sauvignon leads with juicy fruits – black cherry, boysenberry, blackberry jam, and muddled mixed berries. The fruit is layered with fresh mint, sage, and iron filings. These aromas are complemented by warming spices, vanilla, and cocoa nib. The palate has a beautiful, velvety texture with plush tannin and an enduring finish with impressions of espresso and dark chocolate.

Producer Description 

Dark, brick red in color, this wine boasts rich aromas of black fruit and spice on the nose. Blackberry and black cherry flavors dominate with a just hint of green pepper. Rich and full flavored, the finish is bold with a touch of oak.

Producer Description 

Livingston Cellars Rhine is a pleasantly sweet California Rhine that balances a crisp mouthfeel with bright fruit flavors. Livingston Cellars offers affordable award-winning wines that consistently exceed expectations.

Producer Description 

Our Merlot is medium-bodied with deep blackberry aromas and a soft, satisfying finish. Enjoy its smooth flavors with Grilled Pork Chops with Apples or Rosemary-Braised Lamb Shanks.

Critical Acclaim for the 2022 Vintage:

James Suckling - 94 Points: Savory aromas of blackcurrants, cedar, tobacco leaves and mocha. The palate is full-bodied with firmly framed tannins and balanced acidity, giving notes of blackberry bush, bark, graphite, licorice and spices. Layered black fruit has been finely integrated with a powerful undertone. Drink or hold.

Jeb Dunnuck - 92 Points: Absolutely textbook Howell Mountain notes of darker currants, black cherries, chocolate, bouquet garni, and leafy, herbal, forest notes all shine in Cade's 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, a medium to full-bodied, ripe, nicely concentrated 2022 that has integrated tannins and acidity, terrific overall balance, and outstanding length. As opposed to many 2022s, this has solid underlying structure and depth and is a rock-solid beauty that will evolve nicely over the coming 10-12 years or more.

The Wine Advocate - 92 Points: There are 9,000 cases of Cade's 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, a reasonable volume for Howell Mountain. Classic hints of pine needles and resiny notes accent blueberry fruit on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is richly textured and concentrated, framed by grainy tannins on the long, dark chocolate-tinged finish. 

Winemaker Description 

Aged for 10 months in new French oak and neutral barrels, this rich and lush wine displays Notes of lemon custard and honeyed apple blossoms, with a touch of warm vanilla butter cookies. Vibrant and expressive palate, rich, full mouthfeel, with a luxurious finish.

Winemaker Description

While the 2021 vintage is defined by concentration and fine tannins often found in warm, dry vintages, it is nuanced by the freshness and liveliness typical of this cool growing region. The balance of elegant, forward profiles from the Bearman Bend Vineyard with the structured, spice-driven qualities from Monument Tree Vineyard come together to create a compelling snapshot of the Anderson Valley. Aromas of ripe wild strawberry rose and cedar on the nose are complemented by supple tannins and a long, lifted finish.

Expert Reviews

James Suckling 93 Points | Nicely deep in black fruit and savory flavors, this well-balanced wine offers excellent focus, depth and length. It’s medium- to full-bodied, moderately tannic and delicious. Stays fresh with good acidity from the first sip to the lingering finish.

Decanter 92 Points | A Pinot Noir blend of grapes from Bearman Bend, the Twomey estate in Anderson Valley, along with Ferrington Vineyard and Monument Tree Vineyard fruit. Lovely, bright, crunchy red fruit, rich cedar spices, dried floral notes, and dusty minerals. Satiny fruit races across the palate, along with plump tannins, electrified by terrific acidity. The fruit concentration is penetrating but never overpowering and is framed by a clove powder and cedarwood dusting on the long finish. Director of Winemaking Justin Hirigoyen has moved the program further away from whole cluster fermentations to avoid too much vintage variation, and readers should expect a consistent fruit-forward, structured style in Twomey's Anderson Valley Pinot Noir.

Winemaker Description

Exclusively crafted under the meticulous care of the Herzog family and Herzog Wine Cellars’ head winemaker, David Galzignato, the Yesod wine series features three ultra-premium single-vineyard wines. Each wine is sourced from some of the most acclaimed vineyards in Napa Valley, California, and are a testament to the family’s rich history and the ambitious vision for Herzog Wine Cellars.

Expert Reviews

Robert Parker 95 Points | Brilliant aromas of black cherries and cassis jump from the glass, as the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Peak Edcora Vineyard bursts with fruit. All Cabernet Sauvignon, from a site that neighbors Stagecoach Vineyard, this is a medium to full-bodied, densely concentrated example of mountain fruit, yet it's one that is not harsh or tough, with well-ripened tannins and a plush, lingering finish. Bravo. 

Jeb Dunnuck 94+ Points | All varietal, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Peak Edcora Vineyard is another deep purple-hued wine in the lineup with tons to love. Pure cassis, graphite, leafy herbs, and damp earth-like nuances all shine here, and it's medium to full-bodied, with beautiful mid-palate depth, ripe, integrated, yet ample tannins, and a great finish. It offers pleasure today, yet I see no reason this shouldn't evolve for 15+ years if well stored. It's another gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon in the vintage. 

The Wine Independent 97+ Points | Deep garnet-purple in color, the single-varietal 2021 Peak Edcora Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon charges out of the gate with bold notions of creme de cassis, blackberry pie, and boysenberry preserves followed by nuances of dark chocolate, camphor, and black olives. The medium to full-bodied palate is laden with black fruit and savory layers, supported by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing on a lingering minty note. 

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 - Vintage 2017 

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

92 Points Connoisseurs Guide | The most complex of the Stag's Leap lot, this fascinating effort is simply brimming with ripe cherries and very rich oak and shows intriguing touches of leather, coffee, cocoa and caramel throughout its length. It is fairly full and broad on the palate with fine balance and a mannerly, well-polished feel, and, if a slight touch of last-minute tannin jumps up at its finish, there is no doubt that a few years in bottle with smooth things out completely. 

91 Points Int'l Wine Cellar | Bright, full ruby-red. Aromas of dark raspberry, dark chocolate and cola. Bigger and broader than the Fay but with less obvious early sweetness. Very ripe, spicy flavors of dark chocolate, espresso and coffee offer noteworthy depth. Spreads out horizontally to coat the palate on the back end, finishing with dusty, fine, building tannins 

90 Points Wine Enthusiast | There’s a fruity, blackberry and cherry core, with a coffee and dill herbaceousness and plenty of oak. It’s soft, but should develop well, and could eventually surprise. Try holding until 2010. 

Winemaker Description

2017 Timeless Napa Valley is a harmonious wine that deftly balances elegant integration of both high acidity and supple fruit to create a wine with ageworthy structure and character. Notes of pomegranate and cherry on the nose are met by subtle aromas of wisteria, licorice and mint. Carried by essences of rose, plum and tart red fruit, a mouthwatering ripple of bright acidity meets delicate tannins and balancing, savory flavors of minty balsam, cozy mulling spices and stewed black fruits on the palate. 

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+  

Winemaker Description 

This Napa Valley Merlot is sourced from a combination of high elevation mountain sites as well as wonderful benchland vineyards around the valley. Freemark Abbey blends in a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon for structure and balance. The wine opens with aromas of ripe plum, blueberry, milk chocolate and cedar. The palate is met with flavors of wild raspberry, bramble fruits, allspice, cinnamon, dry herbs, and oak spice.

The textures are supple yet vibrant with well-integrated tannins that drink beautifully now on its own or paired with a wide range of dishes.

Winemaker Description

We create the conditions for making Late Harvest Zinfandel by allowing the grapes to hang on the vine approximately 3--4 weeks after they normally would be picked for a dry wine. These grapes were picked on October 30th on a beautiful Fall day, and the grapes arrived at the winery at 40° Brix of sugar. We crushed the grapes into a small 1,500-gallon tank and as is our tradition at Dashe Cellars, we fermented the grapes naturally, using the native yeasts that naturally live on the skins of the grapes. We let the grapes macerate to gain color and flavor, and then allowed the tank to warm.

The fermentation took off quickly, and then naturally halted when the alcohol had reached about 15.5% and the sugar level was about 9%. We always allow the wine to achieve its balance of sweetness and alcohol naturally, by letting the fermentation finish on its own.

The wine was aged in older French oak barrels so as to not overpower the intensity of the fruit. We bottled the wine as soon as possible to maintain its fresh fruit flavors and conserve its sweet concentration and purity. The wine is unfined and received minimal handling to the bottle.

Winemaker Description

This wine is generous and complex with aromas of cherry cola, cassis and chocolate. Some savory notes and hints of citrus zest and mint. This wine is intensely aromatic and develops in the glass as layers are revealed. This full-bodied wine is powerful yet exhibits grace and finesse. A rich and dense mid-palate evolves into a muscular and graceful finish.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021 

Tasting Panel 100 Points | Awe-inspiring, with dramatically structured tannins, this wine possesses an opulence matched by its seductive texture of soft suede as well as its grip. Blueberry and pomegranate are intense and showy on the finish.

Vinous 95+ Points | The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Tomahawk Vineyard emerges from the youngest block on the vineyard, planted nearly twenty years ago. Readers will find a pure, voluptuous wine that is immediately engaging. Succulent dark cherry, plum, espresso, licorice, incense and new leather fill out the layers effortlessly. I imagine the Tomahawk will require only modest cellaring.

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Tomahawk Vineyard is slightly brighter and more perfumed than the Ganymede, offering a brilliant array of crème de cassis and black raspberries as well as spicy oak, graphite, and spring flower notes. It has classic Stags Leap vibrancy and complexity, is medium to full-bodied, and has plenty of polished tannins as well as a great finish. It deserves 4-6 years in the cellar, and I suspect this will be very long-lived. It's a gorgeous wine that shows the style of the vintage to a T.

Decanter Magazine 94 Points | From a small group of vines at the southern edge of the Stags Leap District estate property called Tomahawk Vineyard. A very pretty and elegant wine with fantastic blackberry fruit nuanced by white pepper, sage, and iron-volcanic minerality. Medium to full-bodied with juicy mixed berry fruits, very fine tannins that have a granularity, which builds with intensity before getting wiped clean away by rather scintillating acidity that has a crisp, citrusy quality. Long, lean, and focused, with hints of bay laurel on the finish. A really lovely effort.

James Suckling 94 Points | Notes of ripe blackcurrants, blackberries, pinewood, grilled herbs and spices. Full-bodied, dense and structured with very fine, velvety tannins.

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Juicy, solid and focused in feel, with a core of black currant and blackberry preserves backed by licorice and singed apple wood notes, plus a hint of sweet tobacco through the finish. Drink now through 2040. 1,289 cases made.

Expert Rating

Wine Enthusiast 95 Points | Quite inky in the glass, this bottling is loaded with thick, dark-fruit aromas of black plum, cassis and violet, as hints of cocoa arise slowly. It lands with a force on the palate, providing lively while powerful and offering fresh fruit and flower flavors as well as a dried meat and tarry earth backbone. 

Winemaker Description

Camins 2 Dreams is a winery designed by two women with a creative desire to produce natural wines, utilizing the best sustainably and organically farmed grape cultivars available. Business and life partners Tara Goméz

Expert Review - Vintage 2017 

93 Points Wine Spectator | A wine that suggests a sense of place, this is refined and just a hint rustic, which adds to the authenticity. Notes of cherry and pomegranate are laced with hints of white pepper and bay leaf. Drink now.

Winemaker Description

Located at 1000 to 1200 ft., the vineyard overlooks upper Chiles Canyon and remnant walls of the grist wills built by pioneer J.B. Chiles. Brooding dark purple plum raspberry flavors dotted with sage and black peppercorns.

Winemaker Description

This delicious, versatile wine begins with aromas of blackberry, rose hip, dried cranberries and hints of boysenberry followed by notes of violets and crushed spices.

On the palate, the wine begins with a soft, dense, lush, tannin structure supported by flavors of red berry fruit, subtle acidity and a long flavorful, vanilla finish. 

Producer Description 

A perfectly balanced dry vermouth is the key to a great cocktail. We’ve crafted ours with a combination of cherry, fennel, elderflower, anise and chamomile.

Winemaker Description

Medium dry with a full body. Blended and aged for a mellow, nutty flavor. 

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). 

Expert Reviews

Decanter 98 Points | Screaming Eagle’s ‘The Flight’ is positively gorgeous in 2020, leading with a plethora of perfumed violets and wild herb notes intermixed with graphite and cedarwood spices. Mediym-bodied offering a purity of redberry fruit flavours redolent of cranberry and raspberry alongside dark cherry, all framed by tantalising acidity. The crunchy red fruit is balanced by a dazzling minerality, opening up to reveal blood orange, brown spices, spearmint, and pops of lovely blue floral notes. Broad tannins build in stature on the long, sanguine finish.

James Suckling 98 Points | Aromas of blackberries, red and black currants. Green olives, too. Dark roses and perfume. Medium-bodied with super crunchy energy and brightness. Very fine tannins. Elegant and precise. So subtle and complex, it’s really something...Needs four to five years to open and come together.

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

The nose is highly perfumed, showing aromas of black cherry, cassis, plum, desert sage, sandalwood and dusty minerality. Secondary aromas reveal notes of cigar box, leather, bay leaf and black olive.

The palate is rich and weighty, offering generous flavors of black raspberry, spicy currant and blueberry compote with impressions of Bing cherry, boysenberry, fig and baking spices. Ripe, fine-grained tannins carry into a structured finish with lingering accents of cherry, espresso and vanilla. 

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

Our Merlot is medium-bodied with a hint of oak and flavors of cherries and plums. It is rich in the mouth and ends in a soft fruit filled finish.