2021 Arkenstone Cabernet Sauvignon NVD Napa Valley

2021 Arkenstone Cabernet Sauvignon NVD Napa Valley

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonHowell MountainKevin VogtNapaUSA

Arkenstone

Cabernet Sauvignon
NVD Napa Valley 2021

2021 Arkenstone Cabernet Sauvignon NVD Napa Valley

Arkenstone NVD Cabernet Sauvignon consistently ranks among our most cherished wines, with the 2018 vintage recently claiming the #1 spot on our 2023 top-ten list. From the rugged top of Howell Mountain, winemaker Sam Kaplan meticulously crafts wines that exemplify power, grace, and harmonious balance. The NVD Cabernet Sauvignon, in particular, is a captivating experience—a remarkable value that seamlessly blends intensity and refinement.

The Arkenstone story began in 1988 when visionary founders, inspired by the profound character of mountain-grown grapes, established their estate on Howell Mountain. In 2006, Sam Kaplan joined the team, assuming the dual roles of winemaker and vineyard manager. With unwavering dedication, he oversees every stage of production, ensuring consistent excellence and earning critical acclaim.

The 2021 NVD Cabernet is a quintessential expression of Napa Valley’s mountain terroir. Sourced from the dramatic, volcanic slopes of Howell Mountain and select vineyards in eastern Napa Valley, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon showcases the varietal’s intense, complex character. The 2021 growing season yielded smaller, intensely flavored berries, which Sam skillfully transformed into a wine of incredible depth, richness, and sophistication—an exceptional tribute to Napa Valley’s finest vineyard sites.

Arkenstone
Cabernet Sauvignon
NVD Napa Valley 2021

Your Price: $125

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“Sam Kaplan masterfully combines components from premier single vineyards—Heimark, Godward, and Amoenus—to craft this exceptional blend, aged 22 months in 75% new French oak. The result is a wine of remarkable depth and balance. The bouquet is wonderfully rich, with aromas of crushed stones and lifted blackberry fruit. It offers a medium-to-full-bodied profile on the palate with layers of dark black cherry and blackberry, underscored by graphite and fine-grained tannins. The tannins are elongated and possess a terrific grip, delivering intensity and structure that linger for a full 60 seconds. As the finish unfolds, notes of wild herbs, spices, and a subtle hint of hay emerge, adding complexity and intrigue. This wine is a testament to Kaplan’s ability to balance power with precision, creating a blend that captures both elegance and intensity—a true standout.”

95 Points

NV Boomslang Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

NV Boomslang Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $30 and underAtlas PeakCabernet SauvignonDiamond MountainHowell MountainKevin VogtNapaUSA

Boomslang

Cabernet Sauvignon
NV Napa Valley

NV Boomslang Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Innovation fuels the spirit of Thurlow Cellars, and their Boomslang Cabernet Sauvignon is a bold embodiment of this ethos. This dynamic, multi-vintage blend – artfully combining fruit from the 2019 to 2022 harvests – defies convention, earning an impressive 94-point rating and captivating wine enthusiasts with its exceptional quality at an accessible price. Decanter Magazine has lauded this groundbreaking approach, encouraging more wineries to explore the untapped potential of multi-vintage winemaking.

Guided by the visionary winemaker Kevin Morrisey, formerly of Ehlers Estate, Boomslang is a symphony of Napa Valley’s finest high-elevation vineyards. Grapes sourced from esteemed sites like Atlas Peak, Diamond Mountain, and Howell Mountain converge to showcase a captivating interplay of terroir and time. Embracing a minimalist, hands-off approach complemented by cutting-edge technology, the Thurlow Cellars team allows the vineyards to speak for themselves, preserving the unique character and complexity of each parcel.

Boomslang Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon invites you on a journey through Napa’s diverse landscapes and vintages, weaving together the essence of each growing season. This captivating blend entices you to savor the layers of innovation, terroir, and artistry, all offered at a compelling value.

Boomslang
Cabernet Sauvignon
NV Napa Valley
Retails at: $68

Your Price: $29.99

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“Boomslang is a multi-vintage blend of 2019, 2021, and 2022 fruit, and is crafted by Kevin Morrisey (formerly of Ehlers Estate). It’s an incredibly easy-drinking, smooth Cabernet with just enough fine-grained tannins to layer in a bit of grippy texture, but for the most part, it’s a pretty, red-fruited elegant Cabernet with good tension and energy. This makes me wish California wineries would do more non-vintage blends.”

94 Points

Sherwin Cellar Scraps #17 Napa Valley Red

Sherwin Cellar Scraps #17 Napa Valley Red

with No Comment $70-$80CalistogaHowell MountainKevin VogtOakvilleProprietary RedSpring MountainUSA

Sherwin

Cellar Scraps #17
Napa Valley Red

Sherwin Cellar Scraps #17 Napa Valley Red

Sherwin Family’s Cellar Scraps reimagines the red blend, transforming it into an artful exploration of Napa Valley’s most revered terroirs. From its striking presentation to its captivating story, this wine invites curiosity and rewards exploration.

The Sherwin family’s journey began with their iconic 1996 Spring Mountain Cabernet, setting a standard of small-lot excellence for decades. Their 30-acre estate, perched above the fog line on Spring Mountain, is a winemaker’s dream—a tapestry of vineyards cultivating grapes of unparalleled character.

Cellar Scraps #17 celebrates ingenuity and craftsmanship, blending passion with tradition. This 17th iteration draws fruit from esteemed AVAs, including St. Helena, Calistoga, Howell Mountain, and Oakville, creating a dynamic multi-vintage blend from the exceptional 2018 and 2019 harvests.

Crafted primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon, enriched by Petit Sirah, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, this wine showcases the Sherwin family’s talent for elevating each varietal. Each release is a unique experience, shaped by the finest barrels and the whims of the vintage—a delightful reminder that winemaking is as much an art as a science.

Sherwin

Cellar Scraps #17

Napa Valley Red

Retails at: $85

Your Price: $79.99

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“The Sherwin Family Cellar Scraps #17 is a testament to the winery’s commitment to crafting wines of exceptional quality. This opulent blend unfolds with a captivating nose of ripe cassis and boysenberry, complemented by delicate floral notes and a hint of dark chocolate. On the palate, the wine delivers a deep, velvety texture, showcasing a core of rich, dark fruit flavors. Blackberries and black currants dominate, interwoven with subtle nuances of vanilla. The finish is long and opulent, leaving a lasting impression of elegance and complexity. This is a wine that rewards patient cellaring, but it is also drinking beautifully now.”

94+ Points

2019 Croze Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2019 Croze Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonHowell MountainKevin VogtNapaOakvilleRutherfordUSA

CROZE

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY 2019

2019 Croze Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Croze Fine Wines produced its first Cabernet Sauvignon in 1998, built on a philosophy of elegance and balance, and 2019 marks its 20th year of production. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon combines grapes from Rutherford, Howell Mountain, and Oakville AVAs, including Oakville’s Money Ranch Road Vineyard, which became famous when it was the source of Napa’s first 100 Point wine.
 
Croze’s winemaker, Daniel Benton, intimately understands the vineyards he works with and elevates each plot’s finest attributes in his wines. The 2019 vintage matured for 28 months in French oak barrels, and while approachable and drinkable now, this wine has a structure worthy of additional aging in the cellar.
 
CROZE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY 2019
Retails at: $65
 
 
 
“The 2019 Croze Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon begins with a rich nose of sweet blackberries, milk chocolate, vibrant black currants, Spring violets, and vanilla bean. The penetrating palate follows by balancing richness and freshness with power and elegance, expressing these traits with concentrated red currants, ripe cassis, and nicely structured fine-grained fruit tannins. The lingering, rich flavors and mouth-quenching acidity carry these characteristics through to a long, fulfilling finish. This one keeps calling me back for more…”
94 Points
2016 Spence Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

2016 Spence Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonHowell MountainKevin VogtNapaUSA

SPENCE

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
HOWELL MOUNTAIN 2016

2016 Spence Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain
Spence’s proprietors lived on Howell Mountain for years before restoring a neglected vineyard on their property, patiently learning the dynamic characteristics of their particular location. The vineyard is positioned near a canyon that benefits from consistent breezes, thickening the grape skins and contributing deep color and flavor intensity as the roots dig deep into the red volcanic soil.
 
This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is a powerfully expressive, beautifully balanced wine that represents Howell Mountain’s exceptional growing environment with grace and elegance. The noteworthy 2016 vintage is already a splendor in the glass and leaves a lasting impression as the nuances and flavors unfold in a long, supple finish.
 
SPENCE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
HOWELL MOUNTAIN 2016
Retails at: $125
 
 
 
“The 2016 Spence Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon opens with a pronounced intensity of aromas such as violets, cassis, black tea, black cherry, cedar, and volcanic rock. On the palate, the wine exudes flavors of plum, blueberry compote, cocoa, and nutmeg in a perfect balance between fruit ripeness and refreshing acidity. The deep complexity of flavors contributes to a long, layered finish that is a sensory delight from start to finish. Don’t hesitate to open this bottle tonight, but patience will be rewarded for those who choose to cellar this precious wine.”
97 Points
2019 Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2019 Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $50-$60Cabernet SauvignonCalistogaHowell MountainKevin VogtNapaUSAYountville

DUCKHORN

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2019 NAPA VALLEY

2019 Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Duckhorn made their first Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon in 1978 and has only missed one vintage in over 40 years. Their Cabernet consistently delivers a lush, rich, eclectic taste of Napa because it’s a blend of many of their estate properties, including Rector Creek in Yountville, Monitor Ledge in Calistoga, Stout on Howell Mountain, and even their historic Three Palms Vineyard.
 
The 2019 vintage saw an ideal summer without any significant heatwaves, ensuring an even ripening of the grapes and more complex flavor development. The blend consists of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot aged 16 months in 100% French oak (50% new and 50% neutral), creating a soulful balance between the fruit and the oak.
 
DUCKHORN
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2019 NAPA VALLEY 
Retails at: $78
 
Your Price: $59.99
 
 
“The Duckhorn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is a rich, powerful wine with deep concentration and firm structure. The nose and palate are in sync with wild mountain blackberries, ripe Bing cherries, cedar, pie spices, dried herbs, and vanilla hints. Although compact and firm now, the intensity of sweet fruit on the palate blooms from under the youthful, slightly gripping fruit tannins, after a little time in the glass. The intensity of fruit combined with the foundational structure tells me this one has a couple of decades of good living ahead of it.”
94 Points
2018 Rudius Savory Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

2018 Rudius Savory Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

with No Comment $80-$90Cabernet SauvignonHowell MountainKevin VogtNapaUSA

RUDIUS

SAVORY ESTATE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2018 HOWELL MOUNTAIN 

2018 Rudius Savory Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain
In 1998, David Abreu and Rick Forman planted a tiny 1.3-acre plot at the top of Howell Mountain at an elevation of 1780 feet. Each vintage, the Savory Estate vineyard shows off its vast potential with powerfully concentrated fruit, rock-solid structure, and supreme ageability, that’s vividly depicted in Rudius’s 2018 vintage.
 
Jeff Ames began his winemaking career interning with Lynn Penner-Ash in Oregon and later worked as Thomas Rivers Brown’s assistant winemaker for Outpost, Schrader, and TOR before becoming the head winemaker for TOR in 2005. The Savory Estate vineyard provides Jeff with the pieces to the puzzle that make up his hedonistic signature style, with past vintages scoring well into the upper 90s. Here’s an opportunity to own this incredibly limited Howell Mountain Cabernet, priced to savor.
 
RUDIUS
SAVORY ESTATE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2018 HOWELL MOUNTAIN 
Retails at: $135
 
 
 
“The Rudius 2018 Savory Estate Cabernet is a visually compelling wine with an inky black center core and a deep ruby hue at the edges. The nose and palate dance beautifully together as they balance a vast array of compelling characteristics, including muddled blackberries, black currants, gunflint, dried green herbs, fresh cut violets, and Italian glove leather, along with hints of vanilla, baker’s chocolate, and white pepper. The palate is exceptionally concentrated and powerful yet finds the perfect symmetry between structure, intensity, and elegance. I struggled to find the perfect analogy to describe it, but it is like a bodybuilder who is also a world-class ballet dancer. It’s not what you’d expect at first glance but is thrilling to behold. I think this stunning effort is precisely what everybody looks for in an incredible mountain Cabernet. It is still a baby, and as great as it is now, you can enjoy it any time over the next several decades. Simply gorgeous!”
98 Points
2016 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Lot C-91

2016 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Lot C-91

with No Comment $90-$100Cabernet SauvignonHowell MountainKevin VogtNapaOakvilleRutherfordSt HelenaUSA

HEITZ CELLAR

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 LOT C-91
2016 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Lot C-91
Joe Heitz pioneered single-vineyard wines in Napa Valley, and in 1969 he blended select plots from his most prized vineyards, discovering that he could create a wine with the qualities he desired most – aging potential, complexity, and depth. Lot C-91 encompasses this art of assemblage, gracefully presented with concentrated fruit, focus, and sophisticated complexity. 
 
Heitz is a historic winery that continues to pursue the same traditional, age-worthy style for which they’re well known and respected. For the last 50 years, Heitz Cellar has sourced fruit for Lot C-91 from premium parcels in St. Helena, Oakville, Rutherford, and Howell Mountain, representing a step-up in quality, achieving the density and length of a genuinely fantastic wine, which recently earned an extraordinary score.
 
HEITZ CELLAR
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 LOT C-91
 
Your Price: $99.99
 
 
“Blue fruit with stone, lavender and currant aromas and flavors. Fresh herbs too. Medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannins. Such firmness and focus and beauty. A blend of all their top single vineyards. Drink or hold.”
96 Points
2019 James Joseph Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn's Reserve

2019 James Joseph Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn’s Reserve

with No Comment $40-$50Atlas PeakCabernet SauvignonCalistogaHowell MountainKevin VogtNapaUSA

JAMES JOSEPH

CABERNET SAUVIGNON  
2019 KATHRYN’S RESERVE

2019 James Joseph Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn's Reserve
For decades, James Joseph built a reputation for crafting age-worthy Cabernets that are powerfully elegant and profoundly hedonistic. The 2019 release embodies the brand’s fingerprint conveyed with Howell Mountain Cabernet’s concentration, Atlas Peak fruit’s depth, and Calistoga’s signature minerality. 
 
The 2019 vintage combines 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, elevated with Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, aged 20 months in barrel and crafted in a concentrated and showy style ladened with dark fruits, assorted chocolates, and rocky minerals. With just four barrels produced, don’t hesitate to secure this release.
 
JAMES JOSEPH
CABERNET SAUVIGNON  
2019 KATHRYN’S RESERVE
 
Your Price: $49.99
 
 
“Balance is one of the most important aspects of wine because when all the components are in balance, the wine effortlessly draws attention and acclaim. The 2019 James Joseph does just that, beginning with a nose of ripe cherry and blackberry fruit enveloped in sweet baking spices and cocoa, like a blueberry pie that your grandmother just took out of the oven. This rich and round wine finishes with velvety tannins that make it approachable in its youth, but the depth and concentration of flavors mean that this wine can also lay down for another ten years and develop further complexity.”
96 Points
2018 O'Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2018 O’Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $70-$80Cabernet SauvignonHowell MountainKevin VogtNapaUSA

O’SHAUGHNESSY

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2018 NAPA VALLEY

2018 O'Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Flaunting Oakville fruit’s alluring complexity, Mount Veeder’s savory tinge, and combining Howell Mountain Cabernet’s focused concentration, O’Shaughnessy’s Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is epic. It’s a harmonious composition of the winery’s Estate vineyards, located in some of Napa Valley’s most elite neighborhoods. 
 
Since their inception, O’Shaughnessy’s winemaker has been Sean Capiaux, whom you might know from his work at Peter Michael or his brand Capiaux. He did a fantastic job on the reference-standard 2018 release, perfectly expressing Mountain terroir enriched with Oakville elegance. 
 
O’SHAUGHNESSY
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2018 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $79.99
 
 
“This is such an outstanding wine at any price, but here we’re talking about outstanding value as well. Notes of iron and crushed rock lead to a lengthy balance of juicy red fruit and clove. With small amounts of Merlot, Malbec, Saint-Macaire and Cabernet Franc, it shows a deft hand at blending, with lasting notes of black pepper and nuanced oak.”
97 Points, Editors’ Choice