Ladera 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

The grapes sourced for the Cabernet is like a who’s who of exceptional areas: Pritchard Hill, Howell Mountain, Calistoga – all definitive Cabernet growing areas. This wine offers rich and deep blackberry, black cherry, boysenberry with back notes of plum, macerated black currant, red raspberry and cocoa powder. Though the oak influence is evident (aged 22 months in 82% new French oak) it is not overwhelming. This drinks beautifully - the kind of pure enjoyment you want in a Napa Cabernet. 663 cases. ORIGIN: Napa Valley. ALCOHOL: 14.5%

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Vintage:

2018

Current Price:

$89.00USD

Wine Reviews

2017 Duckhorn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain

Vintage:

2017

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Current Price:

$105.00USD

There’s a belief I have that if you mess up any fruit from Howell Mountain there’s something wrong with you. Duckhorn has consistently produced an extraordinary Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2017 is no exception. Comprised of all Cabernet with 10% Merlot, this is a softer version than in years past, these tannins are a little more mild, the acidity a little brighter, and the fruit opulent and rich. Black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, and boysenberry, lead off and the fruit is a tad more expressive than in years past. It was aged 24 months, 18 of which were new French oak.

Chappellet 2021 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage:

2021

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A+

Current Price:

$95.00USD

It should be no surprise that this wine is a stunner. Chappellet has long delivered quality wines that exceed the status quo; nearly 60 years in fact. The fruit for this wine comes from Pritchard Hill, a well-know parcel that produces exceptional grapes. A classic old-school Cabernet, this offers blackberry, blueberry, huckleberry, boysenberry and black cherry notes with back notes of vanilla, sage, tight tannins, good acidity and the one thing that makes a wine sing – balance. Comprised of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, there are small amounts of Petite Verdot, Malbec and Merlot added in.

Duckhorn 2018 Howell Mountain Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage:

2018

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Current Price:

$105.00USD

I’ve long held the belief that it’s pretty hard to mess up Cabernet Sauvignon from Howell Mountain fruit. The vines there are simply exceptional. So in the very capable hands of Duckhorn, the fruit in this 2018 shines. It’s all Cabernet with 8% Merlot added. There’s a lovely elegance to this wine, a steadiness that combines all the elements, oak, fruit, wood and tannin together. Not one element outperforms the other. The soft fruit includes noticeable black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, mocha, huckleberry and the ever-present but limited vanilla and caramel.

Duckhorn 2020 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage:

2020

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Current Price:

$80.00USD

More mature than past vintages, this has nice tight tannins and acidity to make the fruit work well for aging long-term. The dusty fruit of blackberry, black cherry, blueberry and huckleberry gives way to light vanilla from the oak influence and slight cocoa notes. The oak certainly plays a major influence here, but it does not detract from the beautiful fruit that has been harvested for this wine. Though this wine has a lot of production, the quality is still amazing for the number of cases it produces That takes control, and focus by the winemaking team at Duckhorn.

Robert Mondavi 2018 The Estates Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage:

2018

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Current Price:

$85.00USD

The name is legendary. Mondavi. Therefore you expect something terrific when you open the bottle, and this does not disappoint. The wine opens with mature dark fruit of blackberry, black cherry, huckleberry, boysenberry and plum with tight and dusty tannin and good acidity. This needs some time to open up and accounting for at least 30 minutes would be a good idea. It’s definitely balanced between the oak program and the fruit, something Robert Mondavi no doubt would be proud of.

Ladera 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

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