Professional Ratings

• 99 James Suckling
  Aromas of blackcurrants, pine needles, cedar, tree bark and fresh dark mushrooms. Some stone and black fruit, too. A very fine-grained wine, complex and refined with energy and focus. It’s elegant with a lasting finish. Hints of nutmeg and other spices at the end, with a touch of incense and sandalwood. Pure cabernet sauvignon from 45-year-old vines, the oldest hillside block at the property. 9,000 bottles made. Try after 2028.
• 98 Wine Enthusiast
  This Cabernet Sauvignon relies on 45-year-old vines to deliver depth, a long finish and a refined balance of tannins and fresh acidity. A combination of black fruits, deliciously fresh mixed herbs, pleasing earthy accents and a savory character immediately taste of Napa Valley, while the structure and poise are built to age, and feel reminiscent of classic Bordeaux. This is an exciting new project from the producers of Smith Haut-Lafite worth seeking out. Will continue to develop in cellar.
  Cellar Selection
• 97 Decanter
  Fragranced and floral on the nose with clear toast, liquorice, cedar and blueberries. Dense yet agile, this has weight and an instant texture in the mouth - like crushed velvet, massy and full but chalky and softly chewy while remaining cool and lifted. I like the clean aspect with a really mineral, graphite aspect to the finish. Feels polished and utterly elegant, still super young, this hasn't given up any tension yet, but it will be sublime in time. Blackcurrants, plums and sweet spices but cool too, nothing overripe or pushed about this. Very good.
• 97 Jeb Dunnuck
  Lastly, the flagship is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the estate on the western side of the Valley. A darker, more structured wine, it has beautiful purity in its ripe black fruits, roasted herbs, tobacco, and chocolaty aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, concentrated, and incredibly structured and inward on the palate, this riveting Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is going to require at least 7-8 years of bottle age to show its full potential.
  Barrel Sample: 95-97+
• 96 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  This property's flagship wine excels in this vintage with the 2021 Cathiard Vineyard Proprietary Red—based on older vines from the benchlands and hillsides—offering up an exciting array of aromas ranging from raspberries to blueberries and sage to bay. It's medium to full-bodied, concentrated and dense, tannic and muscular yet elegant. it's a gymnast of a wine that should age effortlessly for 20 years or more.
  Rating: 96+
• 96 Vinous
  The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, the estate's top wine, is dark and mysterious to the core. Black cherry, mocha, plum, new leather, incense and dried herbs all build in grand style, supported by beams of tannin that give the wine energy and shape. This is such an impressive showing, especially considering that these barrel samples were not in the best shape when I tasted them.
  Barrel Sample: (93-96)+
• 94 Wine Spectator
  This is a ripe, polished version, offering a steady beam of cassis and blackberry fruit laced with anise, apple wood and iron notes that stretch out nicely on the finish. The toasty frame is in balance with the fruit, which shows tension and cut through the finish. Best from 2026 through 2040. 750 cases made.