Winemaker Notes
This wine is a serious expression of Napa Valley, showing classic dark, rich, blackberry and red cherry notes followed by savory, peppercorn characters that also highlight the signature of the varietal. Aromas of blackberries, leather, cedar, peppercorn, and a touch of vanilla are met on the palate with rich and racy dark plum and strawberries and hints of toasted nuts and cocoa powder.
Versatile with food, this wine pairs well with grilled red meats and vegetables, pork tenderloin and heavy cheeses.
Blend: 83%Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
-
Tasting Panel
Concentrated aromas of plum and earth; refined and lush with rich flavors of plum, spice, earth, and toast. Tangy, classic, and immediately likable yet carefully built to last.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A barrel sample blended of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is deep purple-black in color and features open-knit notions of crushed blueberries, black cherries and red and black currants with suggestions of pencil shavings and tilled soil. Medium to full bodied, the palate gives a great concentration of earth-laced black fruits with a pleasantly chewy finish.
Barrel Sample: 89-91 -
Wine Enthusiast
Rich and approachable, this wine has a velvety concentration of plum and dark berry alongside a touch of herbaceousness. With a soft midpalate, it soothes its way to a finish of firm tannins and lasting oak.
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.