Winemaker Notes
Big and bold, expressive aromas burst out of the glass with each swirl, offering seductive notes of ripe blackberry, blueberry and cassis. Lush and complex on entry, there is a symphony of ripe black fruit and a hint of sweet vanilla. Even at this young age there are notes of chocolate and black licorice that suggest the world-class lineage of both Oakville and Rutherford sub-AVA’s. Packed with youthful spirit, this rich, concentrated Cabernet is a beautiful demonstration of a stellar Napa Valley vintage.
Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Ripe blackberries, baked blueberries, dried thyme, lavender, mocha and sweet tobacco on the nose. Full-bodied, rich and flavorful with creamy tannins, fresh acidity and a plush finish. Fresh and linear at the finish. Drink now or hold.
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Wine Enthusiast
Brimming in cedar, dried herb and dill, this bold, full-bodied wine offers classic bursts of dust and red currant, both earthy and fruity in equal measure. Balanced in oak and tannin, it refreshes with persistent acidity that helps to contrast the richness and brawn.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Cornerstone's largest-volume wine (2,000 cases), the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Benchlands includes fruit—including bits of Merlot and Petit Verdot—from Calistoga down to Coombsville. Hints of thyme accent cassis and black-cherry notes in this medium to full-bodied effort. It's silky and elegant, with decent length, but it's probably best consumed over the next six to eight years.
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.