Winemaker Notes
Pair with prime rib au jus, roast chicken with marjoram, or aged Gouda.
Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon was aged for 19 months in 96% new French oak. The M5 delivers bold aromas of blackberry, cassis, graphite, and new wood cedar, layered with dark chocolate and a hint of incense. Full-bodied and rich, it features robust tannins that provide structure and depth, leading to a long, espresso bean and caramel-scented finish. As is typical of this blend, it exhibits power and muscle, holding its own impressively in the challenging 2022 vintage. Best cellared until 2026, this wine promises to evolve beautifully and can be enjoyed over the following decade or more—a compelling and intense expression of Cabernet Sauvignon.
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.