Enormously rich, concentrated flavors, and a boat load of tannin. Unless you are a masochist, do not touch a bottle before the turn of the century.

This cuvee of 41,832 bottles possesses a Bordeaux-like austerity, as well as abundant quantities of sweet cassis, cedar, and spice notes in the complex bouquet. The dark ruby color is followed by a dense, concentrated wine with an emphasis on elegance and symmetry as opposed to power and flamboyance. 

Performing much better than it did last year, the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot; 680 cases produced) also possesses extraordinary intensity. Fragrant aromas of loamy soil interwoven with classic creme de cassis, incense and licorice are followed by a big, full-bodied, dense, rich, long, slightly more masculine wine than the 2007 with more prominent tannins than in the seamlessly built 2007. The 2008 is another fabulous Cabernet Sauvignon from this magical sector just south of the Oakville Crossroads.

The 2009 Dominus is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet colored, it rolls easily, sensuously out of the glass with evolving fruit notes of baked blackcurrants, plum preserves, mulberries and fruitcake plus underlying suggestions of charcuterie, camphor, chocolate-covered cherries and candied violets with just a touch of cast iron pan. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is an exercise in balance, with loads of emerging black fruit and earthy layers and a solid line of finely grained tannins, finishing very long with a perfumed lift.

The 2013 Proprietary Red displays a deep garnet-purple color. Wow-it emits the most gorgeous perfume of rose hip tea, violets, sandalwood and fragrant earth over a cassis and blackberry pie core with touches of mocha, cigar box, menthol and garrigue plus a waft of star anise. The powerful, full-bodied palate delivers a wall of exotic spice-accented black fruit preserves with a rock-solid frame of grainy tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing very long and layered. This needs time but is lookin’ glorious.

As for the 2014s, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Slope from the Hidden Ridge vineyard does not suffer in comparison with the extraordinary efforts of 2013. Still a barrel sample, its riveting richness, concentration, texture and density represent another legend in the making. Crème de cassis, licorice, blackberry, earthiness and spice are all present in this magnificent example of Cabernet Sauvignon that should age beautifully for 25-30+ years.

Blended of 52% Merlot and 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Red Blend is scented of black cherries, blackberries and wild blueberries with hints of damp soil, pepper and dried herbs. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated on the earthy/spicy palate and with firm, chewy tannins, it finishes very long.

Rich black fruit and brûléed blackberry aromas on the nose open into a savory core of plum and dark berry compote. Powerful but polished, the fine-grained tannins provide firm structure and dimension for the luscious fruit. This wine showcases what Napa Valley hillside vineyards are capable of with a bit of restraint-a decadent treat that retains its balance.

A different beast, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) is more backward and reticent, and while it needs 4-5 years of bottle age, is packed with potential. Both black and blue fruits, earth, tobacco, and freshly crushed rock notes all flow to a full-bodied 2016 that has plenty of fine tannins, remarkable purity of fruit, and beautiful intensity and length. Do your best to give this some bottle age, and you’ll be rewarded with a phenomenal Napa Valley Cabernet that will keep for 2-3 decades.

Classic and elegant, with textbook Cabernet Sauvignon crème de cassis and blackberry fruits, full body, ultra-fine tannins, and complex notes of graphite, wet stone, and some gravelly minerality.

A blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 MMXVI Cabernet Sauvignon gives up gregarious notions of warm red and black currants, black raspberries and warm plums with hints of chocolate mint, pencil shavings and tilled loam plus a waft of lilacs. Full-bodied, firm and grainy, the palate is built like a brick house with super ripe, super firm tannins and bags of bold, expressive, multifaceted fruit, finishing very long and mineral-laced.

Another magical effort, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Hershey Vineyard reveals a deep, saturated ruby/purple color as well as a brilliant bouquet of crème de cassis, forest floor, tobacco, bouquet garni, and dried herbs. Deep, full-bodied, and powerful, it has building structure, loads of ripe tannins, a seamless texture, and a heavenly finish. Drink this thrilling, multi-dimensional Cabernet Sauvignon over the coming 20-25 years.

With more minerality as well as a bloody, iron character, the perfect 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Lotus Vineyard is 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot that saw 27 months in new French oak barrels. Incredible notes of blackcurrants, graphite, tobacco, Asian spices, and dried herbs all emerge from this full-bodied, ultra-pure, layered, and just incredible wine that tops out my scale. Coming from a vineyard at the base of Howell Mountain and aged in 90% new French oak, it has the class to offer pleasure even today yet is going to benefit from 7-8 years of bottle age and keep for 3-4 decades. It's one of the greatest young Cabernets I've ever tasted.

Evidence 2016 Of The Matter Bruadair Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Mount Veeder). From a high-elevation site, this impressively structured wine is co- fermented with 8% Malbec and explodes in tones of black pepper, nutmeg and sweet tobacco. It is smooth and tingling in acidity, yet also shows length and breadth. Enjoy 2021–2026.

The deep garnet-black colored 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Heir Apparent Rutherford slowly unfurls to reveal notions of tar, scorched earth, dusty soil and iron ore over baked plums, mulberries and cassis with touches of sautéed herbs. Full, firm and richly fruited with ripe, grainy tannins, it finishes long and earthy.

On the approach, the 2016 Lyndenhurst sings a polished and youthful tone and soon reveals generosity and sophistication. The progression is long and opulent, punctuated by notes of cedar, winter mint, bergamot, briar, sandalwood, and chestnuts. There are layers of fruit-blueberry and soft, dark cherry open to aromas of blackberry, intermingled with warming notes of vanilla bean and cocoa powder. The wine is held together with a bright, linear acidity complemented by dark, silken tannins that together leave a lingering finish. This belies its youth and is wonderful to enjoy now.

Dark garnet in color, the 2017 Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon expresses aromas of freshly picked blueberries, ripe black cherries, with subtle notes of roasted coffee, cocoa and dried spices. On the palate, the luscious supple tannins are powerful yet modern in style with layered flavors of juicy blackberry and red fruit, while nuances of black pepper, clove and vanilla bean round out the long smooth finish. It’s full-bodied and rich, balanced by fresh acidity and firm, polished tannins.
“The goal for this Cabernet is simple – to make wine that expresses all that Paso has to offer, with its pastoral beauty, perfect soils, maritime climate and limitless possibility.”

THE 2017 VINTAGE OF BARBOUR CABERNET SAUVIGNON IS FULLY RIPE, DISPLAYING PURPLE AND BLUE TONES AND DEEPER NOTES OF MOCHA, BLACK TEA AND GRAPHITE.  ITS FULL MOUTHFEEL OFFERS TANNINS THAT ARE PRESENT YET APPROACHABLE, AND THE WINE FINISHES WITH DARK FRUITS DOMINATING THE MID AND UPPER PALATE. 

The 2017 Tench Vineyard EE Red Wine checks in as 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot and is one of the few wines that has the potential to match what was achieved in 2016. A total thriller, it has awesome notes of plums, blueberries, earth, chocolate, and espresso, with even a hint of truffle developing with time in the glass. Deep, dense, shockingly powerful and layered, yet still light and balanced on the palate, with sweet tannins, it should drink nicely right out of the gate yet age well.

Sourced from the very best vineyards within the Carter portfolio of single vineyard sources, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon showcases the very best of what Napa Valley has to offer. The various vineyard elements fuse together to create a rich, sumptuous Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon endowed with massive concentration and intensity. On the palate, this is everything you would want in a great Cabernet Sauvignon, including dense flavors of blackberries, graphite and spring flowers framed in well-integrated oak profile. This full-bodied, layered, racy style shows the purity and elegance of the 2017 vintage, not it mention its serious oomph and decadence.

Big and rich, with its opulent and fruit forward profile, the wine attacks the senses with blue and black fruit mixed with exotic and savory
spices. The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon The Three Kings is a bona fide fruit bomb and knocks it out of the park with its massive bouquet of cassis, incense, chocolate, and Asian spices. Full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, and opulent, it has more fruit, texture, and sex appeal than just about every other 2017 out there. Drink it over the coming 20 years.

The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is made up of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec, 7% Cabernet Franc and 7% Merlot aged 22 months in 75% new French oak. Deep purple-black in color, it gives up expressive notes of baked blackcurrants, blackberry pie and spice cake with hints of licorice, tobacco and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, rich and spicy in the mouth, it has a solid backbone of ripe, grainy tannins and background freshness, finishing on a compelling black tea note.

Celia Welch once again delivers a densely packed wine with seductive aromas of raspberry jam, blackberry, brambleberry, cocoa, cedar, anise and mint tea.   On entry, the wine is ripe and expansive and continues this way through to the finish.  It is dense and highly concentrated with a finish of fresh, juicy fruit notes.  The tannins are present and approachable.

Loaded with a deep dark core of blackcurrants, spiced chocolate and the subtle compliments of licorice. The finish is what we expected, palate covering deliciousness!

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot, the 2017 M. Étain is deep garnet-purple colored and prances out of the glass with exuberant baked cherries, warm mulberries, plum pudding and crème de cassis notes with touches of Provence herbs, tilled soil and pencil lead plus wafts of spice box and potpourri. Full-bodied, firm and earthy in the mouth, the palate has bags of freshness and a firm structure with loads of spicy nuances on the finish.

Finely aged in a mix of new Darnajou and Taransaud barrels. It’s a deep, rich, serious wine that has a huge nose of black, black fruits, graphite, crushed rocks, and chocolate. It doesn’t pull any punches on the palate either and is full-bodied, deep, dense, and straight-up bad ass. It’s an awesome wine in the making, but as with a few of these other 2017s, short-term cellaring is going to be the name of the game.

A dense, darkly fruited Cabernet Sauvignon that proves nearly impenetrable by light. Predominantly grown in the eastern hillsides of Napa Valley that rise above Rutherford, no sip of this wine comes up short on swagger. The wine’s brawny structure effortlessly carries the massive, saturated palate of deep, black fruits and pine-forest accents, barely revealing itself while travelling across the palate. Provide this wine a healthy decant in its youth, before diving into its endlessly deep waters.

Benoit's unrivaled work ethic and tenacity continues to show in every new vintage!

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate saunters out of the glass with a seriously sexy nose of crushed blackberries, wild blueberries, kirsch and black cherries with touches of fragrant soil, cassis, tobacco leaf, candied violets and espresso. Medium to full-bodied, the palate positively quivers with an electric intensity of tightly wound black and red berry layers, framed by very firm, fine-grained tannins and delivering bags of freshness and perfume on the very long finish.

The cream of the lineup Kinsella is the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Heirloom Vineyard, which has the most purity, balance, and length of the three releases. Coming from older vines and a terraced vineyard in Dry Creek, its deep purple color is followed by a rock star bouquet of blackberries, black cherries, graphite, chocolate, and mineral aromas and flavors. It's deep, full-bodied, straight-up seamless, and perfectly balanced on the palate, and reminds me of a great Saint-Emilion with its dark, chocolaty fruit and obvious minerality. It's a beautiful wine that will keep for over two decades.

Monastery Block is deep garnet-purple and has a nose of warm blackberries, preserved plums and mulberries with an earthy/savory undercurrent of smoked mates, chargrill, roasted nuts and sautéed herbs. The palate is medium to full-bodied, firm and concentrated, with nice ripe, grainy tannins and great concentration, finishing long and earthy.