Winemaker Notes
Savory aromas of fresh thyme, mint and lavender are followed by secondary aromas of dark chocolate, darjeeling tea and cedar. Flavors of dark chocolate, cranberry are flecked with hints of blackberry pie filling (the classic hallmark of western Saint Helena). The structure as well has more in line with traditional than with modern Napa Cabernet.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon A. Price is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep garnet-purple in color, it is scented of warm cassis, plum preserves and blueberries with suggestions of pencil lead, bay leaves and tree bark. Full-bodied, it has a solid foundation of firm yet super fine tannins along with fantastic tension, finishing with a lovely array of mineral layers. 170 cases were made.
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Jeb Dunnuck
I loved the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon A. Price Vineyard from barrel, and it doesn't disappoint from bottle. Based on 100% Cabernet Sauvignon brought up in new barrels, it offers a dense purple color as well as backward, almost primordial aromas and flavors of red and black currants, blueberries, smoked earth, toasty oak, and candied blood orange. This has closed down since last year in barrel (as have most 2018s) and is full-bodied, concentrated, and tannic, with a focused, pure, elegant style on the palate. It's a stunning wine, yet a solid 5-6 years of bottle age are warranted, and it should evolve at a glacial pace. Rating : 95+
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.
Home to some of the most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon in America, Napa Valley’s Oakville district stretches across the center of Napa's valley floor and foothills between the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains. This AVA is home to the legendary To Kalon Vineyard and Martha's Vineyard, as well as many powerhouse wineries including Screaming Eagle, Silver Oak, Robert Mondavi, Opus One, Far Niente and Groth.
The climate is generally warm and agreeable, resulting in year after year of favorable vintages. Summer days see a gentle tug of war between warmer inland air and the cool air coming in from the San Pablo Bay, creating an ideal environment to grow red varieties. Oakville's diverse soils, namely ancient sea bedrock, clay and gravel, are well-drained, and perfect for high-caliber viticulture.
Cabernet here is often bottled varietally but is also popular in Bordeaux Blends. Oakville wines are known for their silky, sensual textures, structured tannins, dark and brooding fruit and lovely aromatics. These age-worthy and prestigious wines are favored by collectors throughout the world.