Winemaker Notes
Blend: 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
Focused, tense, and reserved yet indulgent, with sleek acidity and flavors of cranberry, red tea, and Italian herbs. Plenty of aging potential.
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James Suckling
Juicy and lifted with aromas of red cherries, raspberries, blackcurrants, dried roses and wild herbs. The palate is medium-bodied and sleek with fine tannins and fresh fruit. Energetic and balanced with a clean, earth-driven finish. Very good. Drink or hold.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
An impactful wine, the 2022 Heir Apparent Cabernet Sauvignon shows a medium to deep ruby color with aromas of dried earth and cassis. Full-bodied and firmly structured on the palate, it delivers spicy red currant flavors that carry through to a long, satisfying finish. Try it with a well-marbled grilled ribeye seasoned with cracked black pepper, rosemary, and a touch of smoked paprika. (Tasted: March 6, 2026, San Francisco, CA)
Made with love in Napa Valley, the family behind Heir Apparent prides itself on cultivating a sustainable and responsible approach to viticulture. Like a vibrant family, fine wine is a living tale, nurtured with unwavering devotion. It's a journey of care, never hurried; a challenge that earns the sweetest rewards. From rugged soil, the vines burst forth with vigor, a tribute to the very essence of life.
One of the hallmarks of Heir Apparent is its commitment to showcasing the unique characteristics of various Napa Valley appellations. Napa Valley is known for its diverse microclimates and terroirs, which offer the team an incredible palate of flavors and aromas to work with. Heir Apparent seizes this opportunity by producing special releases of wines from different appellations, each with its distinct identity.
They firmly believe that the true heirs to the rich winemaking tradition are the extraordinary customers who have the privilege of experiencing the meticulously crafted wines. The winery's unwavering commitment to uncompromising quality and innate ability to capture the quintessence of Napa Valley in every bottle make Heir Apparent wines a cherished choice among discerning wine enthusiasts and collectors alike.
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.