Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
There’s a velvety silkiness to this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon as well as a lushness to the palate that will please aficionados of both Cabernet and Pinot Noir. Refined tannins stand out in subtle ways, as do high-toned cassis and blackberry. Though the wine displays a richness of oak and chocolate, the minerality truly shines here. This will cellar well through 2025.
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James Suckling
Bright aromas of blackberry and black currant. Full body, fine tannins and savory finish. Long and refined.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
From the very southern end of Napa Valley, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon State Ranch has concentrated créme de cassis, a hint of melted chocolate and mocha, a dense opaque color and terrific fruit. The structure is slightly softer than some of the more northern Cabernet Sauvignons, but there is still an abundance of tannin present. This is another big, formidably endowed, large-scaled impressive wine from Nickel & Nickel that should age well for 20-25 years. Range: 93+
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Wine & Spirits
Cooler and leaner than most cabernets from farther up-valley, this presents the fresh scent of a redwood forest and dark red pomegranate flavors. Its tannins are powerful and chewy, needing time in a decanter to mellow. Serve it with roast duck or squab.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
One of Napa Valley's most historic sub-appellations, Yountville spreads through some of the valley's ideal cooler sites and enjoys success with a handful of different and significant grape varieties.
Syrah competes strongly with Cabernet Sauvignon here for optimal vineyard real estate followed by Pinot noir, Pinot blanc and Sauvignon blanc.
This sub-AVA of Napa Valley is rich in the history that makes Napa Valley what it is today, and not just for red wines. Moët & Chandon entered the California winemaking business via Yountville in 1973 with the establishment Domaine Chandon. Their goal has always been to produce top quality méthode champenoise sparkling wines.
Christian Moueix, originally responsible for managing Chateau Petrus and La Fleur-Petrus in Pomerol, arrived in Yountville in the early 1980s. He formed a partnership with Rohin Lail and Marcia Smith, inheritors of Napanook vineyard from their father John Daniel of Inglenook in Rutherford. In 1995 Moueix became sole owner of Napanook and chose the name Dominus, which today produces some of Napa’s highest scoring, age-worthy Bordeaux Blends.