2011 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$150.00USD

This is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec, and 8% Petite Verdot.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, fresh herbs, cedar, leather and char.  Nice texture.  Medium tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is nice.  Good fruit.  Black cherries, cassis, with some earthiness.  Good finish. This seems about at peak but should drink well for another seven to ten years.  Nice on its own, this will work with most (non-seafood) foods.  

2019 Daou Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Cabernet "Soul of a Lion", USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$140.00USD

While not their "top" wine, this is an ultra premium Cabernet that is on par with Napa or any other Cabernets at this price level.  It is a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Petit Verdot.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is open and enticing.  Cassis, black raspberries, cigar box, chocolate, spice and char.

2022 Daou Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

This is their basic Cabernet.  it is a blend of 77.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15.6% Petit Verdot, 6.5% Merlot, and 0.4% Cabernet Franc.  It had been in a decanter for about 45 minutes when I tried it.  Nevertheless, it was at least partially shut down at this point.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is very tight.  With some air in the glass, it opened a bit more.  Aromas of Black cherries, sandalwood and slight char.  Medium to full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, it is a bit more open.  Black cherries with some spice and char.  Moderate finish.  This wine needs time

2018 Calla Lily Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Ultimate Red, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$70.00USD

A bit surprisingly, while still a nice wine, this lagged a bit behind both the 2017 and the 2019.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, slight cedar, and spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this drinks easy but doesn't have the expected depth.  Good finish.  It is a nice wine and will work well with heavier foods.  Beef Ragu would work nicely.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  

2018 Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Materium, USA, California, Napa, Oakville, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
100
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$370.00USD

Another amazing Materium.  This is arguably the best Cabernet made in Napa (and yes, there are other contenders).  Inky purple in color, shimmering bright and opaque.  The nose is great with cassis, tobacco, sandalwood, baking spice and char.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Lush, lovely texture.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Every sip gets better.  It is deep but still young and tight.  Flavors of cassis, with some earthy tobacco notes.  Long finish.  This will get better but it is virtually all one could want in a young Cab.  Give it a bit of a decant if drinking soon.  Great on its ow

2018 Francis Ford Coppola Cabernet Sauvignon Archimedes, USA, California, Sonoma, Alexander Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$75.00USD

This is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot 7%, Cabernet Franc, and 6% Malbec.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, char, tobacco, slight graphite and spice.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this drinks well.  Flavors of cassis, plums with some tobacco and char.  Good finish.  This is drinking well on its own and will work nicely with beef dishes.  Drink over the next five to ten years.  

2008 Azienda Agricola Montevetrano Montevetrano Colli di Salerno IGT, Italy, Campania, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$84.00USD

Great showing.  This is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Aglianico from Campagna in Italy.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and a bit flat.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, dried cherries, herbal notes, forest floor and spice.  Complex.  Medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is complex.  Lots of fresh cherries and black cherries with some tobacco, leather and spice.  Long finish.  This is close to or at peak.  It drinks nicely on its own and will work well with many foods.  Roasted poultry should work well.  Drink over the ne

2004 Cafaggio Villa Cafaggio Cortaccio Toscana IGT, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2004
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$22.00USD

This is a Cabernet Sauvignon from Tuscany.  At age twenty it is fully mature and seemingly at peak.  Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, black cherries,  dried cherries, spice, forest floor and char.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  Tannins are resolved.  On the palate, this has some complexity.  Fresh and dried cherries, tobacco, forest floor and char.  Good finish.  This is better with food.  It would work well with a nice plate of pasta.  Drink up.

2012 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Panek Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, St. Helena, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$170.00USD

Beautiful showing and yet another example of how "showy" Napa Cabs can age and develop nuances and subtilty although this one still has plenty of life left.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, cedar, slight tobacco, and just a bit of spice.  Full bodied.  Medium to firm tannins.  On the palate, this took about an hour to open and then just kept developing in the glass.  Flavors of cassis, some black cherries, spice, leather and char.  Long finish.  Based on this bottle, this wine has another ten to fifteen years of prime drinking.  Great on its own, t

2019 Becklyn Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$65.00USD

Another great Cab from Becklyn.  This is their entry level and while not inexpensive, it is a great value for a top Napa cab.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with cassis, cedar, vanilla and black pepper.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Lively acidity.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Cassis with slight vanilla and char.  Good finish.  This is drinking well if young.  Drink over the next fifteen years.  Great on its own but will work well with roasted meats or veggies.  

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