Winemaker Notes
This 2018 Amici Cellars Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon highlights the lush, ripe fruit and Rutherford Dust of valley floor vineyards along with the structure and ageability of Napa Valley’s best mountain appellations. Aromas of blackberry, black currant and blueberry compote give way to notes of cedar box, soy, and currant. The palate is dense and viscous with laser-like precision. Richly fruit-forward with black raspberry, black plum and blackberry cobbler, the wine is also layered with spice, from savory herbs to vanilla and hazelnut. A long, fruit-driven finish leaves you wanting another sip.
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesA blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is deep garnet-purple in color, striding confidently out of the glass with classic notes of baked plums, blackberry pie and blackcurrant cordial plus hints of cedar, unsmoked cigars and tilled soil. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and featuring impressively pure black fruit flavors, the palate delivers a firm texture of ripe, fine-grained tannins, finishing long, layered and with lovely freshness.
Lots of walnut, chocolate, currant and thyme character to this with some wet earth and forest fruit. Vibrant nose. It’s full-bodied with lots of fruit and ripe tannins. Flavorful finish. Solid red. Drink or hold.
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is built on a core of fruit from Hirondelle and Missouri Hopper. It is a fabulous wine, especially within its price range. Dark and ample, with striking depth, the Reserve is once again tremendous. I tasted it after all the vineyard designates, but that only served to show what a compelling wine it is. Power and sensuality are on full display. Drinking window: 2023 - 2038
Even more impressive, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve offers a denser purple hue to go with terrific notes of creme de cassis, licorice, scorched earth, camphor, and tobacco leaf. With medium to full-bodied richness and depth on the palate, it has nicely integrated oak, building yet sweet tannins, and a great, great finish. It will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and drink brilliantly for 15 years or more.
Amici's owners — John Harris, Bob and Celia Shepard, and Bart Woytowicz—are all great friends with a passion for making and enjoying great wine. At Amici the focus is on quality, not quantity. Because they insist on keeping the production small, they can carefully control the process of creating each wine, crafting what they like to consider a small work of art in each bottle.
What started as a few friends crushing some grapes for fun is now an award-winning premium wine known around the country, but one thing will never change: Amici is a wine created by friends, for friends.
One of the most prestigious wines of the world capable of great power and grace, Napa Valley Cabernet is a leading force in the world of fine, famous, collectible red wine. Today the Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon are so intrinsically linked that it is difficult to discuss one without the other. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that this marriage came to light; sudden international recognition rained upon Napa with the victory of the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1976 Judgement of Paris.
Cabernet Sauvignon undoubtedly dominates Napa Valley today, covering half of the land under vine, commanding the highest prices per ton and earning the most critical acclaim. Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure, acidity, capacity to thrive in multiple environs and ability to express nuances of vintage make it perfect for Napa Valley where incredible soil and geographical diversity are found and the climate is perfect for grape growing. Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that express specific characteristics based on situation, slope and soil—as a perfect example, Rutherford’s famous dust or Stags Leap District's tart cherry flavors.
