Red Wine

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

Wine Spectator 95 Points | This is lush, yet dense and lively, offering black cherry, blackberry and black currant fruit, shaded by mineral, cedar and spice elements. Firms up by the finish, echoing fruit, mineral and spice accents, with fine length. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Best from 2024. (2020). 

Wine Advocate 94 Points | From a warm vintage, the Tenuta Sette Ponti 2020 Oreno (a blend of certified organic Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot) is very rich and fleshed out, and definitely softer compared to the 2019 vintage before it. This wine shows lots of savory fruit and velvety concentration with blackberry preserves and baked cherry. Oreno awards you with a very generous expression from Tuscany that can be enjoyed in the near- or medium-term. (2020). 

James Suckling 97 Points |  A red with a layered, velvety texture, showing blackberry and black-olive character, together with some iodine and graphite. Full-bodied and rich with lots of fruit and chewy tannins. Savory. 50% merlot, 40% cabernet sauvignon and 10% petit verdot. Needs two or three years to soften. (2020). 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2017

The top Cabernet is the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Dancing Bear Ranch, which comes all from the Howell Mountain AVA. It's another inky colored beauty boasting a terrific perfume of black and blue fruits, ground herbs, spice box, graphite, and forest floor. With brilliant minerality on the palate as well as full-bodied richness and an expansive, opulent texture, it has sweet tannins and is approachable today, yet will benefit from short-term cellaring and cruise for 25-30 years. It's one of the few 2017s to come close to its 2016 counterpart. Bravo!  Drinking 2024 to 2054.  Jeb Dunnuck 97

Bottled only three weeks ago, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Dancing Bear Ranch is composed of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 1% Merlot, having spent 22 months in 60% new French oak. Very deep garnet-purple in color, it reveals beautiful notions of kirsch, red and black currant preserves, raspberry pie and warm plums with hints of red roses, stewed tea, underbrush and cinnamon stick. Medium-bodied, the palate has wonderful red fruit and floral intensity intermingled with black fruits, framed by firm, grainy tannins and a wicked backbone of freshness, finishing very long and mineral laced. Very different from the epic 2016 Dancing Bear, but very exciting!  Drinking 2020 to 2038.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 95+

The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Dancing Bear ranch is a gorgeous Howell Mountain red. Succulent black cherry, plum, licorice, spice, new leather, rose petal and blood orange all run through this deep, resonant, unctuous Cabernet Sauvignon from Cakebread. This is a very pretty wine.  Drinking 2022 to 2032.  - Vinous 93

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019 

Wine Advocate 92 Points | Scents of pencil shavings join heady cassis notes on the nose of Guigal's 2019 Saint-Joseph Lieu-Dit Saint-Joseph, sourced from the former estates of Grippat and de Vallouit. Aged half in new oak and half in second-fill barrels, it's full-bodied, rich and ripe, with a velvety mouthfeel and a lingering finish. (2019).

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | The 2019 Saint Joseph Lieu-Dit Saint Joseph ratchets everything up a notch and has an almost flamboyant style in its sunny red and black fruits, spice, smoked game and flowery incense aromas and flavors. It's full-bodied, has sweet tannins, a round, sexy profile, and a great finish. The oak here is also perfectly integrated. Drink this beauty any time over the coming 10-15 years. (2019).

Winemaker Description

Aromas of red fruit open to notes of plums and cherries. Its palate is fresh and exceptionally pleasant.

Expert Review - Vintage 2015

Wine Spectator 91 Points: A fresh and elegant red, with a lovely range of spice, graphite and violet aromas wafting through notes of pure black cherry and mineral. Long and creamy, with fine-grained tannins firming the herb-laced finish. Drink now through 2029.

Wine Advocate 92 Points: Made with organically farmed fruit, the Tormaresca 2015 Castel del Monte Aglianico Bocca di Lupo is one of the top-end wines from this estate and indeed the whole region of Puglia. This pure expression of the mighty Aglianico grape opens to a deep array of dark fruit flavors followed by sweet spice, tobacco and savory smoked bacon. This is a linear, but full-bodied expression with the tannins to cut through a juicy rib-eye steak. It ages in oak for 18 months.

James Suckling 94 Points: This shows real freshness for the aglianico grape, contributed in part by the fresh sage and thyme undertones and also the backdrop of fresh blueberries and citrus. Hints of charcuterie. Full-bodied and ripe, but very structured and fine with elegant, caressing tannins. From organically grown grapes.

Winemaker Description

The wine presents a deep ruby red color with evident shades of violet. The nose is remarkable for a delicate and characteristic, in- tense and aromatic vinous aroma, suggestive of roses, violets and brushwood.

Flavor dry and warm, with clear and pungent but not rasping tannins. Soft and fairly rounded, and also with good body and persistence.
 
This wine is traditionally matched with typical local charcuterie such as Lardellato di Fabriano or Ciavuscolo salami, first courses based on Salsa Rossa and meat sauce, and second courses based on white meats. It can also be accompanied by antipasti of blue fish, marinaded or soused in the same wine, and some types of fish soup. It is also excellent with medium-hard cheeses.

Goblet of medium size and roughly spherical shape, to allow the wine to oxygenate properly and for the aromas to open up completely. 

Winemaker Description

A medium-bodied Pinot Noir with remarkable floral, cherry and raspberry aromas. In the mouth, bright fruit flavors with a wonderful texture and extraordinary acidity. Smooth and balanced with a long, silky and velvety finish.

Expert Review

92 Points Wine Spectator | A medium-bodied red with aromas of wild raspberries, porcini, dried herbs and smoked meat. Powdery, fine tannins with a chalky feel. Concentrated and taut with a savory, mineral finish. Drink or hold. (2019)

Winemaker Description

This is a complex and delicious wine. It beckons with aromas of dark purple plum and anise. Bright fruit flavors follow that include Bing cherries, boysenberries, white pepper and savory. The well-defined, and elegant tannins add texture and length to the finish and will ensure a long life in the cellar. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2021

Burghound 88 Points | From four separate parcels scattered around the commune.
Attractively fresh aromas of various dark berries, violet and discreet spice wisps introduce racy, delineated and utterly delicious middleweight flavors that conclude in a lingering bitter pit fruit-inflected finale that delivers solid length. This will need to develop better depth to merit the upper end of my projected range.

Anne Sigaut told me that 2021 "had the growing season from hell because even putting aside the problems that the frost caused, the constant wet weather made our life difficult. It was often impossible to get tractors in the vineyards to treat and the vines didn't have their normal resistance to what turned out to be very intense disease pressure. We soldiered on but in the middle of July, I confess to wondering if we were going to have a harvest. As it turned out, we did and it began on the 20th of September. Yields were variable but basically off between 30 and 50% as we rejected a lot of fruit though mostly for being underripe. Potential alcohols came in between 12 and 13% and we chose to vinify lightly to be sure we weren't extracting astringent elements. Funnily enough, the quality of the resulting wines is much better than I imagined and I quite like them. With that said, had you asked me what I thought the quality would be when we started picking, I would have given a different answer!" I agree with Mme Sigaut that her 2021s are really quite good and there are several that are worth your attention.  

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2017 

Wine Advocate 95 Points | Already bottled, the 2017 Quintessa displays a deep garnet-purple color. The nose needs a little coaxing before it reveals bold, expressive notes of crushed red and black plums, black currant jelly, wild blueberries and kirsch with nuances of camphor, cloves, cedar and lilacs plus a hint of oolong tea. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has beautifully expressed, elegant red and black fruit layers, with a sturdy, grainy frame and plenty of freshness, finishing long and earthy.

Decanter 93 Points | Power and concentration from the first nose, underbrush and spice box notes show traces of the drought of the 2017 summer, turning into liquorice, bitter black chocolate, sweet fig and tight-berried fruit as it opens. Flavourful and compact, with subtle hints of thyme and sage, lacks some freshness but this is a well structured enjoyable bottle. From a beautiful, one-block vineyard in Rutherford, with vines on terraces planted around a lake. 76% new oak. Blend completed with 1% Petit Verdot. Tasted twice.

James Suckling 95 Points | Crushed berries, incense and blackberries with black-olive undertones. Extremely perfumed. Medium to full body. Very intense for a 2017. Crafted and polished. Long and caressing. Elegant. Drink or hold. 

Winemaker Description

François de Nicolay succinctly described the 2020 growing season as "dry and hot with enough of both to create at least some degree of hydric stress. There wasn't much disease pressure though and the fruit was super-clean when we arrived at the harvest. We chose to begin picking on the 17th of August and continued through to the 26th and brought in yields that were only about 60% of normal though with better acidities than we obtained in either 2018 or 2019. 

Expert Reviews

Wine Advocate 90 points Opening in the glass with aromas of cherries, berries, loamy soil and peonies, the 2020 Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Les Vergelesses is medium to full-bodied, with a velvety attack and a deep core of fruit, framed by lively acids and powdery tannins that assert themselves on the finish.  —  Outstanding.

Alan Meadows 90 Points | An earthier and not quite as spicy array is comprised by notes of red and dark berries with a similar plethora of pretty floral nuances. The mouthfeel of the medium weight flavors is again super-sleek thanks to the moderately fine-grained tannins supporting the firm, youthfully austere and sneaky long finale. At least some patience advised. 

Winemaker Description

100% Aglianico del Vulture Cantine del Notaio is a Demeter certified Biodynamic estate located in the rugged volcanic hills of Mount Vulture in Basilicata.

Atto is the sort of wine you don't expect from the Aglianico del Vulture denomination. Fruit of the hard work and efforts of Cantine del Notaio in this exceptional denomination, and under the direction of Professor Luigi Moio, Atto represents the quintessence of mountain wine. A fine, clean-cut and most enjoyable red, characterised by a remarkable freshness and resolute minerality.

In its production, after rigorous and selective harvesting by hand, a short maceration follows that ensures all the Aglianico's tannin and freshness are retained in the wine. The ageing process takes place in the spectacular underground cellar, excavated into the volcanic ground. After a minimum of 12 months in used French oak barrels, Atto is released onto the market as a young and well-formed wine, that's also rich, complete and, despite its youth, possessing a finely tempered profile of the rough Aglianico.

Appearing a lovely, intense ruby colour, that denotes both its youth and its potential, Atto reveals on the nose a rich array of aromas, ranging from cherries to violets, pencil lead to spicy notes. The pleasant acidity and the smoothness of its tannins afford it an amazing persistence with hints of fresh fruit and meadow flowers.

Expert Review

Winemaker Desciption

Pinot noir grapes from our home ranch, Redwood Valley Vineyards, were hand harvested in late September of 2020. The bunches were carefully destemmed into a stainless steel tank for fermentation. The mixture of skins, seeds and juice were cold soaked for 24-48 hours to begin flavor extraction.

After a CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) approved yeast was added, the must was mixed two times per day to continue extracting color and tannin. These pump-overs are critical to enhancing the aroma and fla- vor from the pinot noir grape. Once fermentation is complete, the must was delicately pressed and aged on French oak for 9 months.

Medium ruby in color, this wine is brimming with captivating aromas of Queen Anne cherries, fresh cranberry and notes of cola. On the palate, flavors of ripe red fruit preserves, vanilla and a hint of oak. With firm acidity and unassuming tannins, this wine delivers a soft, luscious finish. Incredibly versatile in the pairing department, or as a sipper all by itself.

Winemaker Description

Handcrafted, award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon fron the heart of Stags Leap District. Since the Terlato family assumed sole ownership of Chimney Rock in 2004, they have remained steadfast in their vision for this great estate. In the pursuit to produce unique wines of exceptional and world-class quality, they have developed and managed the Chimney Rock Winery estate vineyards into a sustainable, standard bearer of Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Expert Reviews

Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points | The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District is based on 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot, and minuscule percentages of Petit Verdot and Malbec that's all from estate fruit in the Stags Leap District. It offers a pure, medium to full-bodied, incredibly elegant style as well as tons of minerality in its red and black fruits, ripe, building tannins, nicely integrated acidity, and just a kiss of background oak. (2021).

James Molesworth - Wine Spectator - 94 Points: Super lush and polished in feel, with creamy-textured acai, mulberry and cassis notes gliding through slowly. Laced with alluring hints of violet, iris and anise, this offers a melted licorice note on the finish, but the fruit wins out easily. Drink now through 2037. (2021).

Expert Review

Vinous 97 Points Josh Raynolds writes |  Glass-staining ruby. Exotically perfumed black and blue fruit, incense and candied licorice scents, along with mineral, olive and exotic spice overtones. Seamless and expansive on the palate, offering deeply concentrated yet lively blackberry, boysenberry, cherry-cola, salty olive and floral pastille flavors that show outstanding energy and mineral lift. Slow-building tannins grow on a strikingly long, focused finish that strongly echoes the licorice and mineral notes.

Winemaker Description

Don Miguel Vineyard. Named after the late patriarch of the Torres family, this organic vineyard is located in the Green Valley- the coolest, foggiest region of the Russian River, only ten miles from the Pacific. Displays vibrant, luscious fruit reminiscent of blackberries and dark cherries.

This is a wine of precision, finesse and balance, rich and opulent on the palate, with supple tannins. It will continue to develop and gain complexity with age, at least for another 10 years. 

Winemaker Description

This 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley opens with aromas of black currant and ripe black cherries, followed by forest floor and bay leaf undertones with a hint of vanilla. On the palate, the taste of fresh fruit, bright acidity, and youthful tannins are evident. Hinting at a wine that will age well, its finish is long and vibrant with flavors of rosemary and soft pimento. 

Expert Reviews

Wine Enthusiast 94 Points | Black cherries, black olives, currants and a touch of black pepper come with firm tannins and a hearty, grippy mouthfeel in this full-bodied, classically styled wine. The wine has a heritage aura, like a great Cabernet from the 1980s, and will no doubt age well through at least 2033. (2019).

Robert Parker 91+ Points | Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon skips out of the glass with lively notes of redcurrant jelly, blackberries and black raspberries, plus hints of fragrant earth and dried Provence herbs. The medium-bodied palate is refreshing and vibrant, delivering red and blackberry layers with a pleasantly chewy texture, finishing with an herbal lift.(2019).

James Suckling 92 Points | Fruity nose of ripe currants, stewed raspberries, blackberries, coffee and mint chocolate. Full-bodied, rich and ripe with firm tannins. Chewy. From organically grown grapes. Try after 2023. (2019)

Our Professional Review

Oscar Garcia Moncada | Miguel Angel de Gregorio is a master at crafting wines of great balance and finesse while showcasing the terroir of Briones, Rioja. Nose of dark plums,  blackberry and raspberry. Medium-bodied with good tannic structure and great mouth-feel. Ready to drink.

Winemaker Description

Intense cherry color with purple hints. On the nose, fruit sensations (blackberries, blueberries, black fruits) dominate the perfectly integrated tones conveyed by aging in wood barrels that provide sensations of cedar and tobacco.

It is serious and lively on the mouth with power and a great balance; broad and flavorsome combining fruity freshness and the elegant structure of a wine that is suitable for aging. 

Winemaker Description

This is a truly remarkable vintage of our iconic flagship wine. The bouquet is intense with fragrant notes of wild sage, blackcurrant, cedar, and fresh mint. The palate is expansive and full-bodied with a sumptuous mouthfeel, showcasing layers of ripe blackberry, redcurrant, and red rose petal alongside earthier tones of graphite, licorice root, gravely stone, and dark chocolate. Subtle baking spices from the French oak barrel aging provide sandalwood, clove, and Ceylon cinnamon notes, while the signature “Rutherford Dust” tannins are silky, polished, and fine-grained, finishing long with a cocoa powder texture. Slightly reserved upon release but incredibly drinkable, elegant, and pleasing, the tannins provide approachability with beautiful harmony and balance. There is significant presence, depth, and concentration in this Private Reserve, foreshadowing cellar-worthy potential that will continue to evolve, unfold, and develop across the next few decades.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

Jeb Dunnuck 98+ Points | “The flagship 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Georges De Latour Private Reserve is in the same ballpark as the 2019 and is an incredibly elegant yet concentrated 2021 that does everything right. Purple-hued, with ample cassis, wild sage, graphite, and darker chocolate-like aromatics, it picks up a Graves-like gravelly earth character with air and is full-bodied, has ripe, polished tannins, beautiful overall balance, and a great finish. As with many of the top 2021s, it’s a touch reserved and closed and needs 4-5 years of bottle age, but will drink well for 30 years.”

James Suckling 98 Points | “Intense aromas of iodine, blackcurrants, cedar, sandalwood and mint follow through to a medium to full body with silky tannins that spread across the palate and expand in a balanced and harmonized way. Hints of chocolate and fruit at the end. Some tar. Drinkable but better in a few years. Try in 2027 and beyond.”

Wine Spectator 95 Points | “This is packed with dark, winey flavors of black currant and blackberry paste underscored with alder, sweet tobacco, warm paving stone and black licorice notes, while a violet accent fills the background. The polished finish makes this accessible now, but there’s plenty of life ahead. Drink now through 2042.” James Molesworth  - Wine Spectator’s #2 Wine of the Year 2024

Our Professional Review

Bart Hopkins 67Wine.com | A full bodied, darkly colored Grenache with intense richness and depth of flavor. Aromas of savory red fruits on the nose, with lovely intensity in the mouth, smooth tannins and a delicious long-lasting finish. Powerful, precise and concentrated with no over ripeness. A great wine for hearty dishes and perfect for barbecues.

Winemaker Description

Dark, intense deep purple-crimson in the glass. On the nose: striking notes of rhubarb, raspberry jam and redcurrant. The palate is soft and rich, showing a more full-body style of Grenache. A flow of red cherries, rhubarb and red plums are laced with a fine layer of cedar, introducing more dark-flavored characters like plums and hints of dark chocolate. Texture is firm and finely balanced.

Expert Review

James Suckling 92 Points | An inviting nose of baked cherry, blueberry, moss and bark. Medium- to full-bodied with velvety tannins. Juicy and fresh red and black fruit with savory undertones. Herb and earthy notes ground the palate. A bit of tension here, which I like. Drink or hold.

Winemaker Description

Situated in the southern part of the Appellation, this estate goes back eight generations and is currently run by brothers Daniel and Frederic Coulon, and Daniel’s sons Victor and Antoine.  The Domaine owns 32 hectares of vineyards, the farming of which has been certified biodynamic by Demeter since 2010. 

Made from old vines of different varieties growing together, with moderate yields, the 2021 Boisrenard is characterized by the silky weave of its tannins and its generous fruit. A wine of immense depth.

Expert Reviews

Winemaker Description

The soil at Le Claux is a yellowish limestone marl and produces the most “Burgundian” wine at Saint Cosme. “It’s extremely refined and fresh with lots of bouquet. Its propensity to mature is excellent,” says Barruol. The wine features aromas and flavors of wild strawberries, violet, peat, Chinese Five Spice, and camphor.

Grenache is the pale-colored, red-fruited, and potpourri-scented red grape variety of the southern Rhône and can be paired with both rustic and sophisticated dishes. Full-bodied Grenache-based wines are ideal with stews, braises, and grilled meats, while lighter versions can work well with dark fish and tomato-based dishes such as ratatouille. 

Expert Reviews

Wine Spectator 97 Points | This is packed together, with taut iron cables providing a platform for mouthwatering bitter plum, cassis and blackberry reduction flavors. Sage, bay tobacco and warm earth notes play equally important roles, adding superior range and depth. Everything pulls together through the finish, though the end point takes some time to reach. Best from 2025 through 2040. (2019).

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points | The 2019 Gigondas Les Claux is one of the powerful yet elegant wines and offers a great bouquet of red and black fruits, graphite, crushed stone, and spice. It’s full-bodied and tannic and needs time, but the balance is spot on, the tannins are perfectly ripe and polished, and it has a gorgeous finish. Give it 2-4 years and enjoy over the following 15+ TASTING DATE 1/25/2022. (2019).

Expert Reviews

Wine Advocate 92 Points | Notes of cherries, cassis, peonies and rich spices preface the 2020 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Aux Murgers, a medium to full-bodied, velvety and concentrated wine that's lively and penetrating. Like its 2019 predecessor, it's especially seamless and charming. (2020).

Burghound 90 Points | A distinctly earthy and notably ripe nose blends notes of red and dark currant with those of earth, humus and a whiff of the sauvage. The rich, dense and powerful larger-scaled flavors are supported by mouth coating tannins on the chewy, long and moderately rustic finale. This bold and robust effort is very good, but I would recommend it only for the patient. (2020).

Winemaker Description 

A superb and age-worthy Barolo by Giacomo Conterno, from the Francia vineyard in Serralunga d’Alba. 100% Nebbiolo. Fermented with native yeasts and aged in large oak casks. Red fruits, roses, tar, licorice and spices notes. Powerful and complex. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018 

Expert Reviews 97 Points Wine Advocate | Of the three Barolo samples I tasted from barrel (including Arione and Cerretta, which are also from Serralunga d'Alba), the Giacomo Conterno 2018 Barolo Francia was the furthest behind and the hardest to pin down at this stage in its infancy. I have opened my range of scores accordingly to compensate for the magical unknowns that are likely to occur as the wine moves toward greater harmony and integration before its commercial release. The wine is linear and pointedly focused, lacking the width and volume it will gain when given more time to flesh out and relax. The aromas are also quite primary and simple at this point, with dark cherry and even a hint of ripe strawberry ceding gradually to grilled herb, blue flower and baked brick. This vintage of Barolo Francia will require patience. (2018).

95 Points Wine Spectator | Delivers depth and power, with menthol and wild herbs shading cherry and plum flavors. The balance tips toward the tannins in the end, yet this doesn't feel overly astringent, just more structured than many '18s. Picks up a mineral element as this lingers on the finish. Be patient. (2018).

95+ Points Vinous | The 2018 Barolo Francia is powerful, deep and also a touch austere. It shows the edginess of all the 2018s, but also has a feeling of textural creaminess that adds tons of character. Spice, menthol, leather and a whole range of balsamic overtones build into the deep, imposing finish. Roberto Conterno decided to forego his Barolo Monfortino in 2018, opting instead to blend all the casks into his Francia bottling. When that happens, Francia often surprises down the road. That could very well turn out to be the case here. (2018).

Winemaker Description 

Aromas of cocoa and vanilla are enhanced by the rich flavors of currant and dark ripe fruits. Pleasing flavors of cassis and cola along with cinnamon and nutmeg fill out this smooth wine that is a great pick for any occasion. 

Winemaker Description 

Yellow Tail Cabernet Sauvignon has a touch of mint on the nose, layered over aromas of blackberries and vanilla. The palate has great length with toasted oak, ripe fruit and soft, velvety tannins.Yellow Tail Cabernet Sauvignon is made with .

Expert Review

Wine Spectator 90 Points | Dense, with blackberry and plum flavors shaded by iron, earth and spice. Shows broad shoulders and dusty tannins, but plenty of fruit too.Vinous 91 points The 2020 Pommard Les Vignots has a lively, minty bouquet that is well defined, quite floral with iris flowers emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, quite structured with a vibrant saline finish that lingers. This must be the "dark horse" of Monnot's range. (2020).

Winemaker Description 

Our Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied, dry wine displaying lush blackberry and black cherry flavors. Enjoy its rich smooth finish with steak, bleu cheeses, and vegetarian lasagna. 

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).

Winemaker Description

Using their now well-established technique of cold-soaking the Petite Sirah portion of the co-ferment and then infusing it into the fermenting Zinfandel ten days later, Frog's Leap locks in the freshness of the fruit and accentuate the elegance of the resulting wine.

A dash of Carignane adds additional acidity and structure, preserved nicely by their practice of aging Zinfandel largely in small concrete tanks. The resulting wine is beautiful: deeply flavored, balanced, and fresh—a great summer drinker to be sure, especially with a quick chill. But don’t be afraid to put a few bottles away in the cellar; like all Frog's Leap Zins, this wine has decades of life ahead of it.