Winemaker Notes
Delicate fruit esters lift from the glass, tempting the nose with macerated strawberries, red plums, and blackberry compote. Tertiary layers of sagebrush, mountain chaparral, and sweet brown baking spices compel the first sip. A lively acidity creates a playful rhythm along the palate, fulfilling aromatic promises that deliver vibrancy and finesse through the finish. This vintage offers purity and fine-grained tannins, enveloping a dense, fruit laden core that remains wonderfully fresh.
Blend: 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The appellation blend from this notable estate, the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley checks in as 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc. Deep purple-hued, it offers beautifully pure aromatics of crème de cassis, graphite, crushed stone and violets.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
My history with the Turnbull Wines began with their first vintage in 1979, and I have been following them religiously. The 2023 vintage opens with lovely aromas of delicate blackberries and a whisper of mint, setting the stage for a palate that is alive and bright, delivering focused black fruits supported by a subtle shading of oak; enjoy this beautifully balanced wine with a Santa Maria–style grilled tri-tip, the iconic California beef dish whose smoky crust and juicy interior make an ideal match. (Tasted: November 28, 2025, San Francisco, CA)
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James Suckling
Blackberries, cassis, cedar and tobacco on the nose. The palate is full-bodied with fine tannins and balanced acidity, giving notes of dark plums, black currants and spices. Textural and fresh. Drink or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Turnbull's blended 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon is a super value and the rare modern-day Napa Cab under $100 that shows potential for further aging. A blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, it offers gently leafy notes, plus cedar, cherries and vanilla. Full-bodied, it's firm and reasonably tannic, with ample structure and a long finish.
Rating: 91+
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.