Napa Valley is filled with wineries. What’s it’s not filled with is small family-owned wineries that seem to fly under the radar. Such is Lawer Estates located in Calistoga. Started just over 25 years ago, the goal was always to produce small lot wines. Their 2017 Estate Cabernet exemplifies their commitment to Cabernet. There is a silky smoothness to this you don’t often see. This means the tannins, acidity and oak are all in line. This expresses lovely blackberry and blueberry, black cherry and huckleberry with back notes of lightly charred cedar wood, vanilla bean, Bing cherry, mocha and light cracked pepper. Deftly aged for 20 months in both new and used French oak, the result is a beautiful, seamless wine.
163 cases
ORIGIN: Calistoga, Napa Valley
ALCOHOL: 14.5%
PRICE: $70/750 ml
SCORE: 92 POINTS