Different years bring different wines. Travel, vintages, the contents of my cellars, bottles opened by friends, all make things different from year to year. This year, about 1,000 tasting notes were added to the Intowine.com database. Naturally, the wines tasted vary over the course of the year. We try to get a wide sampling over varietal, price, and geography. Nevertheless, at the end of the year, it can be fun to look back and see how the year went. This is one in a series or such reviews for 2019. Hopefully, there is still plenty of good drinking ahead in 2019, but nevertheless, here is our list of the top Napa Cebernet Sauvignon’s tasted in 2019.
1. 2013 MacDonald Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Oakville, Wine Review
Vintage: 2013
Score: 100
Grade: A+
Current Price: $575.00 USD
Wow. This wine was decanted for 10 hours in a Magnum size decanter prior to serving. It needed every bit of that. Inky purple in color. What an awesome nose. Cassis, moist earth, baking spice and slight cigar box. On the palate, this has firm tannins. Loads of cassis, some black cherries over a rich earthiness with some cedar. Great balance. This is a powerful wine but not a monster in that sense. Lots of fruit but with pin point attack. Long finish. This needs at least ten years to get close to peak but if you can't resist, a decant of at least 12 and even 24 hours is needed. It will last for two to three more decades. It will go well with steak or heavier meat dishes and is delicious on its own.
2. 2010 Abreu Howell Mountain, USA, California, Napa, Howell Mountain, Wine Review
Vintage: 2010
Score: 100
Grade: A+
Current Price: $335.00 USD
A wow red blend to be sure. This has 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot, 8% Malbec and 5% Merlot. Still young, this was pop and pour and rocking from the get-go. Purple in color. The nose is great with cassis, plums, cigar box, graphite, baking spice and slight cedar. On the palate, this is full bodied yet very concentrated. Powerful and intense. Lots of cassis, some blueberries, plums wound with tobacco, chocolate and slight char. Medium tannins. Long finish. This kept evolving in the glass. It probably won't peak for another five years or so and should be good for twenty after that. Very impressive wine.
3. 2007 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review
Vintage: 2007
Score: 100
Grade: A+ Current Price: $395.00 USD
Wow. This is in a great place right now (and has been for a while). Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose is classic, Californian, and amazing. Cassis, blueberries, pencil lead, spice and slight chocolate. Amazing texture. Full bodied. Racy yet, powerful. There are light to medium tannins. At age 12, this is still not yet at full maturity. Flavors of cassis, blueberries, slight chocolate and char. Great balance. Long finish. One of the great wines of the world.
4. Vintage: 2014
Score: 100
Grade: A+
Current Price: $428.00 USD
Wow. Great showing for this wine. It is a blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. A candidate for Wine of the Year. Inky purple in color. The nose is deep and complex with cassis, blueberries, gravel, slight cedar and spice. On the palate, this is seamless. Full bodied with supple tannins. Wonderful balance. Cassis, over a slight dry earth and charred wood. Long finish. This went great with a seared Tofu dish but would be great with steak or a roast. It is still young and will develop but won't get better - just different.
5. 2014 Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Materium, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review Vintage: 2014
Score: 100
Grade: A+
Current Price: $390.00 USD
This is showing to be the equal of the 2007 and the best wine ever made by Thomas Rivers Brown which is no faint praise. An exceptional bottle of wine that while young now is incredible and may still improve. It will certainly evolve. One can debate if a 100 point wine can get better on a philosophical basis. There is no question that this is a 100 point wine now, so what happens if it does improve? In any event, this is a shimmering, bright, opaque purple in color. The nose has cassis, graphite, blueberries, cedar and starting to show a charred earth note. On the palate, this is seamless. An amazing lush but powerful texture. Yet, incredible energy. The wine dances on the tongue. The finish lasts forever. And delicious. Complex and deep, it unwinds in the glass. This was my second time trying it with wines of great pedigree and for my tastes, it has always shown best. This is just great on its own right now but worked well with medium to heavy foods. Roasted meats and/or veggies are a great match. It has easily two more decades and possible four.
6. 2015 Screaming Eagle, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review
Vintage: 2015
Score: 100
Grade: A+
Current Price: $3000.00 USD
Is there a more iconic wine made anywhere? Arguably no and certainly not in the USA. This is the wine that defines "Cult Wine". The release price has closed in on $1,000 per bottle and the aftermarket is double for starters. So, it is nice to actually open a bottle and see what the fuss is all about. The first question is whether it is worth it. That answer all depends on so much more than wine. One pays for the rarity. One pays for the status. One pays for the experience. Still, at the end of the day, how is the wine. As Napa Cabs go, this is not a huge wine. It is more about elegance and style. It is not a fruit bomb or an oak bomb at all. This bottle was wonderful. It took about 30 minutes to really open up in the glass. While still young, it drinks beautifully. Deep purple in color. The nose has cassis, black cherries, slight chocolate, some graphite and just a hint of tobacco. On the palate, this is deep and complex. It coats the mouth with red and purple fruits. Medium tannins. An incredibly long finish. It is also delicious. Wonderful drinking it on its own to really savor the experience but it did go well with some stuffed mushroom caps. As for the experience, it is wonderful to be lucky enough to drink such a wine. This is such a unique wine and drinking it is even more so unique.
7. 2014 MacDonald Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review
Vintage: 2014
Score: 100
Grade: A+
Current Price: $500.00 USD
My third time trying this bottle and it is incredible. I have scored it 99 and 100 and this again gets the top score. This bottle was opened 12 hours in advance, checked for quality, and then allowed to breathe. Served with stuffed roasted peppers with feta, it was an excellent match. Deep purple in color. The nose is great with cassis, cedar, dark chocolate and spice. On the palate, this is not overblown. There is some obvious oak showing but it integrates nicely. More than enough fruit to age this out beautifully. Deep and complex but tight. Drinking great now but will continue to evolve for another 30 to 40 years.
8. Vintage: 2014
Score: 99
Grade: A+
Current Price: $330.00 USD
This was my WOTN in an evening with a lot of stellar bottles. It is everything I could ask for in a Napa Cab. It is still young and no doubt has a couple of decades left. Inky purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose has cassis, spice, graphite, clay and moist earthiness. Firm tannins. On the palate, this is deep and complex, it unwinds in the glass beautifully showing cassis, tobacco with underlying earthiness. Despite the tannins, this wine has a softness that makes it approachable. It is delicious. It will need big foods or drink on its own.
9. Vintage: 2010
Score: 98
Grade: A+
Current Price: $350.00 USD
A really great wine. Inky purple in color. The nose has cassis, chocolate, char, slight camphor note and coffee. This is a rich, big wine. Delicious. Flavors of cassis, blueberries with slight chocolate over spice and char. Juicy acidity. Medium tannins. Long finish. This needs about 5 to seven more years until peak and then should be great for ten to twenty more years. It will work with big foods like steak or roasts.
10. 2017 Outpost Immigrant True Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Howell Mountain, Wine Review
Vintage: 2017
Score: 98
Grade: A+
This is a blend of 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and 29% Cabernet Franc. Another project made by Thomas Rivers Brown. This is a gorgeous Bordeaux blend. I know that many critics have worried about the 2017 vintage and while the fires are a legitimate concern, I have been loving them and especially the Cab Franc and Merlot. I loved this even more than the 2015 which I scored 97 (reviews are on this site). Deep ruby in color. Mostly opaque and bright. Just a great nose. Black raspberries, black cherries, slight green tobacco, slight mocha and some baking spices. On the palate, this is very concentrated. Ripe black cherries, some black licorice, some cassis and slight oak. Medium tannins. Long finish. This will need about five to seven years to integrate and should drink quite well after that. Not French in style or comparison, but an impressive blend of ripe, not over ripe fruit. It should last a couple of decades. This needs air if drinking now and will need roasts or grilled foods but should broaden in terms of food pairings as it develops.
11. 2017 Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon True Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Howell Mountain, Wine Review
Vintage: 2017
Score: 98
Grade: A+
Wow. Gorgeous wine. With time, this likely merits a 100 score. Inky purple in color. The nose is intense with cassis, blueberries, slight cedar, slight baking spices, and just a hint of Earl Gray tea. Full bodied. The fruit is ripe but not over the top. Cassis, blueberries over forest floor with slight cigar tobacco. This is already showing tight layering and lots of depth. Firm tannins. Long finish. Of course, to get to peak, this will need at least a decade, but it is likely to drink very well young with a bit of air. One of the best wines I tasted on a recent Napa trip. It needs big food or drink on its own.
12. 2018 Dakota Shy Cabernet Sauvignon Moulds Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review
Vintage: 2018
Score: 98
Grade: A+
This was a barrel sample. As it happened, I drove by the Moulds vineyard the next day so that was nice to get to see. I wouldn't call it mountain fruit but it is on the way up towards Mt. Veeder from the city of Napa. The wine is inky purple in color. The nose has lovely cassis fruit and toast. Of course, this is quite tannic right now. On the palate, this has black cherries and chocolate. Great texture. Long finish. This is both concentrated and yet has a certain broadness. Of course, that could be the vintage. It is going to take a while for this to come together after bottling but it appears to be a wine that should last for more than a couple of decades. This is a list that I think still has some room on, but probably won't for very long. Sign up now. The barrel score would be 96-100.
13. 2014 Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon True Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Howell Mountain, Wine Review
Vintage: 2014
Score: 98
Grade: A+
Current Price: $300.00 USD
Outpost Cabernet's probably don't get enough respect. They are some of the top Cabs being made in Napa. Plus, if you like the concentrated mountain fruit, look no further. This is purple in color, ruby at the rim. Shiny and bright. The nose is dusty with black cherries, cassis and an interesting watercress note to it. Not exactly green as much as crisp and clean. On the palate, this is full bodied and complex. A beautiful streak of acidity. Cassis and tart cherries. Long finish. Medium tannins. This is still young and will likely improve. This bottle was consumed on a trip to Napa along with many of the top wines out there and was one of the top wines of the trip. Considering its $125 price, it is one of the best "values' at that rarefied level.
14. 2014 Greer Cabernet Sauvignon Greer Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Rutherford, Wine Review
Vintage: 2014
Score: 98
Grade: A+
Current Price: $245.00 USD
Wow. This is a wine that is rarely reviewed but just excellent. Right up there with anything Napa produces. Opened for my birthday dinner because it also goes great with food. Deep purple in color. Opaque and bright. The nose has cassis, spice, slight cedar and plums. With air, a bit of iodine. On the palate, this is full bodied. Deep and complex. Young with firm tannins. Lots of cassis fruit with underlying spice and slight char. Delicious. Long finish. This will no doubt continue to evolve over the next decade and closer to two. It reminds me of St. Julian in a great vintage but with that California sunshine. It is expensive but a mailing list I recommend getting on.
15. 2015 Realm Cellars The Bard, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review
Vintage: 2015
Score: 98
Grade: A+
Current Price: $145.00 USD
A question that comes up on occasion is whether a $125 bottle can be considered a value. In this case, I say yes. A Napa Cab of this quality often costs 4 times the price and rarely less. The Bard is consistent from vintage to vintage and a truly great wine. This is a blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot and the remaining grapes are Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Inky purple in color. The nose has cassis, black cherries, tobacco, damp forest floor and slight graphite. On the palate, this is already complex though it will undoubtedly improve for fifteen or twenty years. Just a fantastic lush texture that makes it a pleasure to drink even so young. Tons of cassis, black cherry fruit layered with forest floor and earthy notes. Great balance. Long finish. This needs hearty foods at the moments as there are strong tannins. Or if tannins don't bother you, then on its own.
16. Vintage: 2016
Score: 98
Grade: A+
Current Price: $465.00 USD
So, after an amazing wine dinner with two other couples and my wife, we did the mistake of opening this. It was amazing but this just arrived a few weeks ago and really needs time. That said, it really was great, it just needs at least a few more years and really five to ten. Oh well, it was fun. Inky purple in color. The nose has cassis, pencil lead, tobacco, smoke and cedar. On the palate, this has big fruit and big tannins. Not so much a fruit bomb as the intensity. It must be like barrel tasting Latour in a great vintage. The finish goes for for hours. Give this some time and this will be a perfect scoring wine. No doubt. For those who like them young, go right ahead. Just fantastic!
17. 2016 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Rutherford, Wine Review
Vintage: 2016
Score: 98
Grade: A+
Current Price: $675.00 USD
Drank this side by side with the 2012. The 2012 was better tonight, but the 2016 is the better wine. Hold for at least five years and patience will be rewarded. Of course, if you can't - no worries. It is amazing right now. Inky purple, ruby at the rim. The nose has cassis, cedar, clay, graphite and sandalwood. On the palate this has firm tannins. Tons of cassis with tight layering of charred earth. Great balance. Intense and concentrated. Long finish. Went great with Cauliflower steaks but would work well with grilled or roasted meats. it kind of reminds me of Mouton in a great vintage. As an aside, I just posted a couple of weeks ago about the 2016 M. Etain from Scarecrow and it was amazing. We wondered how much better the Scarecrow could be? It is a couple of steps up which is hard to fathom. Just - Wow.
18. 2012 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Rutherford, Wine Review
Vintage: 2012
Score: 98
Grade: A+
Current Price: $600.00 USD
Scarecrow is one of the best wines in the world. It is always a pleasure to be able to share some with friends! This bottle did not disappoint. It is not a fruit bomb but there is plenty of fruit. This bottle is still young with some upside but drinking great today. Inky purple with a thin ruby band at the rim. The nose is great with cassis, violets, spice and minerality. On the palate, this has light tannins but persistent. Intense cassis on the palate with underlying charred earth and a bit of dark chocolate. Layers of fruit and earth. Long finish. Great balance. Delicious. Went great with food. This wine has a couple of decades to mature but is delicious today.
19. 2012 Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Materium, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review
Vintage: 2012
Score: 98
Grade: A+
Current Price: $300.00 USD
Perhaps not quite as good as the amazing 2013, but a stellar wine nevertheless. Inky purple in color. The nose has cassis, blueberries, smoke and slight floral notes. On the palate, this is open and drinking well. Still, it is deep and unwinds beautifully in the glass. It really is well served with a few hours of a decant. Cassis and other dark fruits with graphite and smoke intertwined on the palate. Juicy acidity. Medium tannins. Probably about five to ten years from peak and should last a couple more decades, but wonderful now. Needs heavier food and great on its own.
20. 2009 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, USA, California, Napa, Sonoma, Wine Review
Vintage: 2009
Score: 98
Grade: A+
Current Price: $170.00 USD
Pride has a long history of making great wines in different styles from different winemakers. The reserve wines are at the top of their pecking order and for my tastes the Cabernet Reserve is usually the best wine that they make. It is a middle ground in style between a full blown fruit bomb and a left bank styled wine from either California or Bordeaux. This one was gorgeous. Purple in color. The nose has cassis, slight coffee, a bit of graphite and a bit of earth and char. Full bodied with a lovely texture. Deep. It unwinds in the glass. Lots of cassis fruit on the palate, with some underlying tobacco and dry earth. A bit of char on the finish. Great balance. This wine is very food friendly and will work great with medium or heavy foods. At ten, it is just starting to show some mature notes and has at least a couple of decades left.
21. 2013 Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Amoenus, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review
Vintage: 2013
Score: 98
Grade: A+
Current Price: $200.00 USD
Maybach makes some of the greatest wines in the world. Their flagship 2013 Materium was my WOTN in 2018. This is from a different vineyard and was also spectacular. Now, this is an expensive wine which sold for around $160 on release. For that money, it should deliver. The fact though is, at the rarefied top end of Napa Cabernet's, this is not comparatively over priced. Consumed over two nights, it was better on night 2. If opening a bottle soon, a decant of a few hours will be well rewarded. Purple in color, shimmering bright. The nose is gorgeous. Cassis, slight blueberries, tobacco, a perfumed quality and char. With air, some spice comes out. On the palate, this is almost seamless. Lots of cassis fruit intertwined with char, spice and dry earth. Deep and complex. Long finish. It is delicious and each sip makes one want it more. It needs some hearty food to stand up to it. This has at least two decades of maturing and life left in it for those with better patience than I.
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