1998 Viader, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

This is a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon and 37% Cabernet Franc. Ruby in color, with slight browning. The nose has cassis, leather, black cherries, slight tobacco and slight cedar. Full bodied. Light tannins. Good acidity. On the palate, this has some complexity. Nice cassis fruit with a bit of underlying tobacco. Moderate finish. This is past prime and should be consumed soon. That said, it does have something to offer. Better with food at this stage. A nice wine with Brisket.

Grade:

B+

Score:

Vintage:

1998

Top Napa Cabernet Sauvignon - 2019 Tastings

The top Cabernet Sauvignon tasted and reviewed by Loren Sonkin in 2019.

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Top 50 California Cabernet Sauvignons to Try Before You Quit Drinking (a non-dump bucket list if you will!)

In putting together a list of the top California Cabernets, there is sure to be some disagreement. I tried to include those wines that have a track record, the wineries still making great wines, those that seemed to have the commitment for the future and some personal favorites. I am sure I left some out. 1. Shafer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select – It’s always hard to name the number one wine. But this has a track record that’s very long. Even in less than stellar vintages, it is an outstanding wine. They just don’t seem to make a dud. My only complaint is the price at over $200 a bottle. But, in comparison to other Napa Cabs or elsewhere in the world, this is a fair price.

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Top Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

California's Napa Valley is undoubtedly the most famous wine region in the United States. As you might expect from a California wine region, Napa exudes star quality. Even 25 years ago, the valley bustled with activity and attracted tourists from all over the country. Today Napa Valley is one of the world's flagship wine regions, with approximately 400 wineries and a reputation for top-quality wines. For many wine lovers, Napa Valley is synonymous with cabernet sauvignon. This late-ripening grape flourishes in Napa Valley's warm days and cool nights. While cabernet sauvignon grapes thrive all over the Napa Valley AVA, they do particularly well in the Rutherford and Oakville sub-regions, which are AVAs in themselves. (Napa Valley has 15 subregions, all of which are also AVAs.)

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1994 Viader, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage:

1994

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$200.00USD

This showed better than the 1998 and at age 29, very nice. It is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Cabernet Franc. Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has cassis, tobacco, black cherries, spice and slight herbal note. Full bodied. Light tannins. On the palate, this has juicy acidity. Black cherries, some cassis, spice, char and slight tobacco. Complex. Long finish. This is probably past peak, but really drinking well. Drink over the next few years but it might go longer. It will work well on its own, but will match well with roasted chicken.

1997 Viader Proprietary Red, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage:

1997

Score:

Grade:

62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Cabernet Franc. Purple in color. The nose is dusty with cassis, tobacco, and slight cherries. On the palate, this has cassis and cedar over some tobacco and clay. Nicely layered, this wine is drinking great right now. Another Napa Cab that drinks like older Bordeaux with some years. If you like mature wines, this is at peak, if you like fruit powerhouses, this is past. It is balanced and very food friendly. Drink up.

1998 Viader, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

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