Winemaker Notes
The 2022 Steady State Cabernet Sauvignon is dark ruby, with an enhanced violet hue. Dominant inviting aromas of ripe blackberry and boysenberry are very focused, with notes of rose and black tea in the background. On the palate, the wine has superb tension, as pomegranate, graphite and cherry emerge, grounded through the finish with a firm textural core that is refined, complex and nuanced. A top note that is equally fresh and savory further complements the flavors already present.
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
Smooth, layered and velvety, this full-bodied wine is saturated with red and black fruit on a tannic but soothing texture. Blackberries, cocoa, graphite and black cherries are backed by good acidity for a bold but balanced expression overall.
-
Wine Enthusiast
Robust and textural, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon carries aromas of tea leaf and ripe berries followed by flavors of dark fruits and a savory finish. Structured and persistent while approachable.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Despite seeing 50% new French oak, the 2022 Steady State Cabernet Sauvignon—from an Oak Knoll source—offers up a pretty melange of blueberries and cherries, not much oak. It's medium- to full-bodied, plush and ripe but balanced, being crisp and easy to drink, with soft tannins.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.