Winemaker Notes
On the nose, the 2018 vintage showcases enticing aromas of wild blackberries, cocoa and toasted oak supported by notes of brown spice and humidor. The rich, plush palate boasts flavors of shaved chocolate and reduced blackberry compote with hints of cinnamon. The long finish reveals classic oak character and plush tannins.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Very deep purple-black, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 1 explodes from the glass with vibrant black cherries, mulberries and redcurrant jelly scents followed by a core of crème de cassis, cedar chest and roses plus hints of chocolate box and fragrant earth. Full-bodied, the palate delivers impactful, mouth-coating black fruits with a firm structure of grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing long with some mineral sparks coming through.
Rating: 96+ -
Wine Spectator
This has a frankly toasty note overlaying rich cassis, plum and boysenberry compote flavors, while licorice root, loam and roasted mesquite notes fill in on the finish. Not shy in the muscular approach. For fans of the style. Best from 2023 through 2036.
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James Suckling
This is a firm and structured red with blackberry, conifer and chocolate character. It’s full-bodied, yet tight and poised. Lots of dark fruit at the end and chewy tannins. 61% mountain fruit and 39% valley-floor. Long finish. Dry at the end. A little hot from the high alcohol. Retro-styled. Try in 2023.
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.