Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
From three vineyards in Napa, including the Caldwell Vineyard, To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville and the Chang Vineyard on Pritchard Hill, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Cor Leonis is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and will likely spend 28-29 months in French oak prior to being bottled. This wine shows notes of creosote, incense, blackberry, charcoal, and some floral notes in a rich, full-bodied, authoritative and classic style. It should drink well for at least two decades or more. Range: 91-93
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James Suckling
A ripe and flavorful red with dried berries and chocolate powder. Full body, chewy tannins and a savory finish. Shows tension and style. Better in 2019.
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.