Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
I was able to taste three wines from 2018 from Caterwaul, all made by Thomas Rivers Brown. The appellation 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is a winner, offering classic Cabernet notes of ripe dark fruits, tobacco, chocolate, and candied violets. Rich and full-bodied, it has a light, elegant texture, terrific tannins, and a great finish. I suspect it's a knock-it-out-of-the-park value and it should evolve for a solid 15 years.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley comes from around 10 different AVAs in the valley and is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep garnet-purple colored, it bursts with black raspberries, redcurrant jelly and blackberry preserves scents plus suggestions of bay leaves, underbrush and pencil lead. Medium-bodied, the vibrant, youthful palate is jam-packed with black fruit, accented by loads of herbal and red berry sparks, finishing long and energetic.
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.