Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Chappellet Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 – Chappellet has been producing Cabernet Sauvignon at their property in Pritchard Hill in southeastern Napa Valley because the late Nineteen Sixties, actually making them a veteran producer of this wine. This specific wine, a mix of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot, is sourced from an property winery with rocky soils that overlooks a lot of the southern reaches of the valley; produced for greater than 20 vintages, that is thought of by quite a few insiders as one of many “Grand Cru” websites within the area. Inky purple, with aromas of bitter chocolate, blackberry and clove, this can be a ripe, highly effective Cabernet Sauvignon with wealthy tannins which are fairly supple; the ability you sense within the mouth is mitigated by these spherical tannins. The end, with its notes of graphite, ash and black cherry, is very distinctive and affords an excellent sense of place. Whereas this could possibly be loved tonight with a T-bone steak, this can be a way more superb consuming expertise over time, with peak consuming in 15-20 years, or maybe even longer (96)

Stags’ Leap Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon “The Leap” 2018 (Stags Leap District, Napa Valley) – Medium deep purple; aromas of black plum, black raspberry and clove. Medium-full with glorious focus. There may be good acidity, notable persistence and glorious depth of fruit, in addition to spherical, medium-full tannins. Nevertheless, the wooden notes are fairly robust, giving the wine a barely unbalanced really feel. Aside from that, this can be a very spectacular wine that wants time to spherical out a bit, with peak in 12-15 years. (91)

Beaulieu Winery Tapestry 2018 – Whereas this wine is labeled as a Napa Valley Crimson Wine, it’s technically a Cabernet Sauvignon, because it accommodates 78% of that varietal (the minimal share to be varietally labeled in California is 75%); the remaining 22% is a mix of Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Deep purple; aromas of baking chocolate, black cherry and hints of anise and raspberry. Medium-full with splendid ripeness, medium-full tannins which are velvety and completely balanced, superb acidity and a fruit-driven end of medium-length. Whereas this isn’t as full on the palate because the vineyard’s varied choices of Cabernet Sauvignon, it’s fairly harmonious and will be loved at a a lot earlier stage. Pair with most purple meats now and over the following few years, or put away for 5 to seven years, with peak in 10 years. It is a fantastic worth at a recommended retail value of $65. (92)

Spottswoode Property Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (St. Helena, Napa Valley) – I’ve been a fan of this wine ever because the preliminary launch from the 1982 classic. The property winery, farmed organically since 1985, is located on the japanese facet of Napa Valley, abutting the Mayacamas Mountains; the very sight of this plot is mesmerizing, and calls to thoughts how Napa Valley will need to have appeared a century in the past.

Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, with about 10% a mixture of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Deep, intense purple; aromas of black currant, black plum and violets. Full-bodied with glorious focus, this affords a wealthy, layered mid-palate, glorious persistence, well-integrated oak, medium-full, properly rounded tannins, superb acidity and very good typicity. Notable complexity, that is ultra-impressive now and may drink properly for not less than 20 years, with peak in 20-25 years. (96)

Silverado Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon “Solo” 2018 (Stags Leap District, Napa Valley) – Based in 1981 on the west facet of the Silverado Path, this property has been among the many most constant of all Cabernet Sauvignon producers in Napa Valley, but not often will get the eye of lots of its neighbors.

Shiny, deep ruby purple; aromas of black plum, black raspberry and a touch of cocoa powder. Medium-full with a wealthy mid-palate providing superbly ripe black currant and black cherry fruit, backed by superb acidity, medium-full tannins which are well-rounded. The wooden notes are superbly built-in and there may be glorious persistence. Lovely total concord, basic varietal purity and typicity and a wine of fantastic construction. This could drink properly for one more 12-15 years, and will peak just a few years after that. (95)

Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon “Hirondelle Winery” 2018 (Stags Leap District, Napa Valley) – Clos du Val has been producing Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon since 1972. Whereas the model of the wines has modified barely over the previous decade, the wines proceed to supply the silky tannins and vivid fruit so typical of the Stags Leap District.

The Hirondelle Winery, acquired by the vineyard in 1972, has turn out to be probably the most essential sources of Cabernet Sauvignon at Clos du Val. The winery carried out brilliantly in 2018, as famous by proprietor Olav Goelet; “gentle daytime temperatures and funky evenings at our Stags Leap District property allowed for sluggish and managed ripening, enabling us to create wines with exceptional freshness, acidity, and tannin construction.”

100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Shiny purple; aromas of black plum, black currant and darkish chocolate with a touch of anise. Medium-full with a wealthy, layered mid-palate. Superb acidity, glorious complexity and ripeness, notable persistence and well-integrated wooden notes. Lovely expression of the Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon – this combines muscle with allure. Give 3-4 years to spherical out a bit, with peak consuming in 15-18 years. (95)