Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine & Spirits
Like Buehler’s 2016 Napa Valley Cabernet (also recommended here), this wine needs time to open with air. Its energy is immediately apparent in a sweet hive of mineral tannins. Air brings out its shape, its chewy fruit-skin tannins turning gentle and allowing the wine to buzz with honeyed richness, refreshed by acidity. Decant it for corned beef—especially the crispy bits along the edges.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is a solid charmer that has ample Cabernet character in its black, black fruits, earth, and herbal aromas and flavors. It's medium-bodied, rounded, and forward, with sweet tannins and excellent purity of fruit.
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James Suckling
Lots of ripe fruit with a raisin character to the floral undertone. Medium body, firm and fresh acidity and a flavorful finish. A little one-dimensional but nice. Drink now.
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.