2023 Silver Ghost Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2023 Silver Ghost Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSAYountville

Silver Ghost

Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2023

2023 Silver Ghost Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Silver Ghost’s Napa Valley Cabernet has consistently delighted even the most refined palates, offering a compelling combination of elegance, genuine character, and exceptional value. The 2023 vintage upholds this tradition, presenting a remarkable expression of Napa Valley terroir, skillfully crafted by winemaker Weston Eidson. Sourcing fruit from carefully chosen vineyards in Oakville, Yountville, and Sugar Loaf Mountain, Eidson conducts a harmonious blend of flavors that captures the essence of Napa Valley.

Comprising 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and a subtle touch of Petit Verdot, the 2023 vintage captivates with poise and equilibrium. Eidson’s meticulous selection from each vineyard results in a wine of both power and grace, showcasing the brilliance of Napa’s diverse landscape and the skill of a winemaker who respects its heritage while elevating its quality at this accessible price point.

Weston’s path to winemaking mastery is a story of unwavering commitment. Apprenticing with Jason Moore of Modus Operandi and the renowned Russell Bevan, Eidson has refined his art with precision and fervor. His 2023 vintage is a celebration of his tireless quest for quality—an enduring narrative of artistry, terroir, and vision.

Silver Ghost
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2023
Retails at: $45

Your Price: $36

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“The Silver Ghost 2023 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon opens with rich, opulent aromas of blackberry pie, ripe blueberries, and black plum, layered with rich dark berry preserves, boysenberry, and sweet spices. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and velvety, unfolding with decadent flavors of chocolate-covered raisins, carob, cassis, and sweet tobacco leaves, lending a slightly savory edge. Notes of anise and cedar add to the wine’s complexity on the finish with silky tannins and well-integrated oak.”

92 Points

2022 Double Diamond by Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

2022 Double Diamond by Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

with No Comment $80-$90Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSA

Double Diamond

by Schrader Cellars
Cabernet Sauvignon
Oakville 2022

2022 Double Diamond by Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

Double Diamond Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon further solidified its reputation in 2022, building on the success of its 2019 vintage, crowned Wine Spectator’s #1 Wine-of-the-Year. Born from the legacy of Schrader Cellars, Double Diamond offers an extraordinary opportunity to enjoy world-class craftsmanship without the ultra-premium price tag.

 

Founded in 2001 by Fred Schrader, Double Diamond shares the same commitment to quality as its sister winery, guided by the talented winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown.

This wine is a stunning expression of its vintage, showcasing concentrated black fruit, vibrant acidity, and refined tannins. Crafted entirely from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine benefits from meticulous aging in French oak, including second-use Schrader Darnajou barrels. The result is a balanced, elegant expression with a silky texture and robust structure, ready to be enjoyed now or cellared for future appreciation.

Experience the iconic terroir of Oakville with every sip of this extraordinary wine.

Double Diamond
by Schrader Cellars
Cabernet Sauvignon
Oakville 2022

Your Price: $89.99

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“The 2022 Double Diamond Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine of profound elegance and power. The nose is a captivating blend of dark fruit aromas, with notes of blackberry cobbler and boysenberry preserves leading the way. A subtle floral note of lavender adds complexity, while a hint of minerality, eucalyptus, and milk chocolate rounds out the bouquet. The wine is seamless and opulent on the palate, with rich, ripe, concentrated, and lush flavors mirroring the aromatic profile. The tannins are finely-grained and well-integrated, providing structure and a long, complex finish. This is a wine of remarkable depth and intensity, showcasing the exceptional quality of the 2022 vintage. A true gem from Oakville.”

96 Points

2016 The Vineyard House Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

2016 The Vineyard House Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSA

The Vineyard House

Cabernet Sauvignon
Oakville 2016

2016 The Vineyard House Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

Surrounded by the prestigious names of Harlan Estate, Promontory, and Futo Vineyards, The Vineyard House Cabernet Sauvignon quietly carves out its place among Napa’s elite. The 2016 vintage captures everything I love about world-class Cabernet Sauvignon—layers of vibrant fruit, a remarkable balance of power and finesse, elegance, and expansive flavors, making a clear choice for my list of the top 5 wines of 2024.

Imbued with the artistry of the renowned Philippe Melka and his director of winemaking, Maayan Koschitzky, The Vineyard House’s lineage is a testament to their impeccable craft. Philippe’s mastery has graced esteemed estates like Château Petrus and Haut-Brion and renowned California vineyards such as Caldwell, Quintessa, Hundred Acre, Dalla Valle, Bryant Family, Mastery, and dozens more, instilling confidence in every sip.

While its circle of surrounding wineries command prices ranging to $1700 per bottle, The Vineyard House exudes To-Kalon-esque pedigree at a fraction of the cost. For those seeking the essence of a $500+ Napa wine without the exorbitant price tag, The Vineyard House offers an irresistible solution.

The Vineyard House
Cabernet Sauvignon
Oakville 2016
Retails at: $275

Your Price: $199.99

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“The Vineyard House 2016 Oakville Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is penetrative and intense on the nose with aromas of bay leaves, sage, blueberry, black currant, game, and crushed rock. The palate has complex flavors of black tea, blackberry, black plum, cinnamon, and dried oregano. The fine-grained tannins and flavor intensity are in perfect harmony together and glide into a decadent, long finish.”

96 Points, #2 WCC’s Top 5 Wines of 2024

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

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“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

2022 Bevan Cellars Ontogeny Red Napa Valley

2022 Bevan Cellars Ontogeny Red Napa Valley

with No Comment $90-$100Kevin VogtNapaOakvilleProprietary RedUSA

Bevan Cellars

Ontogeny Red
Napa Valley 2022

2022 Bevan Cellars Ontogeny Red Napa Valley

Bevan’s Ontogeny is swiftly becoming a paragon of exceptional Napa Valley wine. Just last year, the 2021 vintage claimed the top spot on Jeb Dunnuck’s Top 10 Napa Bordeaux Blends Under $125 list, following a similar accolade for the 2019 vintage, which was #1 in Dunnuck’s Top Ten Values for Valley Cabernet. The takeaway? You’ll want to secure the 2022 vintage before more scores come out, as it’s poised to continue this remarkable trend.

The 2022 Ontogeny draws its strength primarily from the esteemed Tench Vineyard across from Screaming Eagle in Oakville. Russell crafts a single-vineyard Cabernet from Tench that retails for over $200, but Ontogeny, as the most accessible of his flagship reds, offers an unparalleled entry into the Bevan experience. Despite being the least expensive Red in his portfolio, it’s a wine that never compromises on the depth, power, and intensity that have become Bevan’s trademark.

Russell Bevan, alongside his partner Victoria De Crescenzo, launched Bevan Cellars in 2005, seizing the opportunity to create wines that stunned the Napa Valley scene. Under Russell’s visionary leadership, Bevan Cellars has consistently delivered extraordinary wines. The 2022 Ontogeny Red Blend stands out for its brilliance, cementing its place as a must-have in any serious collector’s cellar.

Bevan Cellars
Ontogeny Red
Napa Valley 2022

Your Price: $99.99

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“The Bevan Cellars 2022 Ontogeny Napa Valley Red Wine is rich and supple, opening with notes of violets, rocky minerality, blackberries, dark chocolate, and blueberry pie. On the palate, the wine is concentrated and penetrating with flavors of black plums, blueberries, toasted baking spices, black tea leaves, and hazelnuts. The wine evolves in the glass as it opens up and its long lingering finish is complex and warms the soul.”

95 Points

2019 Erikson & Caradin Archer & Thorn Proprietary Red Napa Valley

2019 Erikson & Caradin Archer & Thorn Proprietary Red Napa Valley

with No Comment $30 and underCalistogaKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSAYountville

ERIKSON & CARADIN

ARCHER & THORN
PROPRIETARY RED
NAPA VALLEY 2019

2019 Erikson & Caradin Archer & Thorn Proprietary Red Napa Valley

Erikson & Caradin proprietors are keenly aware that soil, elevation, and climate play crucial roles in fine wine production; however, expertise and ambition can take wine to the next level. Erikson & Caradin began in 2013, selling their small production to friends, and continue to remain craft-focused, with only around fifty barrels produced across eight different designations.

Their specialty is producing terroir-driven wines, which aligns with winemaker Kevin Morrisey’s skillset after interning at Chateau Petrus in Bordeaux before Stags’ Leap Winery, Etude, and Ehlers Estate. 

Based around a core of Cabernet Sauvignon, balanced with Merlot and Petite Sirah, the winery’s 2019 Archer & Thorn Proprietary Red, from Calistoga, Yountville, and Oakville, captures the essence of Napa Valley, delivered with penetrating fruit framed by firm tannins and remarkable balance. 

At $90, this wine earned well-deserved scores, but at $30, I’ll let you decide…

ERIKSON & CARADIN
ARCHER & THORN
PROPRIETARY RED
NAPA VALLEY 2019
Retails at: $90

Your Price: $29.99

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“Aromas of black cherries, plums, fresh herbs and fresh mint. Medium-to full-bodied with velvety tannins. Succulent black fruit with light dried-citrus character. Earthy herbal notes as well. Best after 2025.”

93 Points

2020 Dolum Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Cask #3 Oakville Napa Valley

2020 Dolum Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Cask #3 Oakville Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSA

DOLUM ESTATES

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
CASK #3 OAKVILLE
NAPA VALLEY 2020

2020 Dolum Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Cask #3 Oakville Napa Valley

Dedicated to crafting wines of distinctive character that encompass elegance while effectively reflecting their terroir, Dolum Estate founders enlisted the expertise of winemaker Chad Alexander. Chad’s expertise in soil science and prior experience at renowned wineries, including Hess Collection and Robert Craig, have achieved their objective, resulting in wines with rich, well-balanced flavors and a sense of refinement.

Dolum Estates sources fruit from carefully chosen sub-districts scattered across Napa Valley, and this highly selective approach results in exceptional wines.

The 2020 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon Cask #3 is supple and rich, coming in at 96% Cabernet Sauvignon with 4% Merlot to slightly soften and round out the mid-palate, which ends with an everlasting finish.

DOLUM ESTATES
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
CASK #3 OAKVILLE
NAPA VALLEY 2020
Retails at: $140

Your Price: $49.99

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“Attractive aromas of blackcurrants and brambleberries with toasted cedar, anisette, cinnamon and tobacco leaf. Ripe and mellow on the palate with a full body and an array of plush, finely polished tannins. Complex and refined with a succulent, bittersweet, dark-fruited finish. Better after 2026.”

95 Points

2020 Erikson And Caradin Cabernet Sauvignon Bilateral Napa Valley

2020 Erikson And Caradin Cabernet Sauvignon Bilateral Oakville Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSA

ERIKSON & CARADIN 

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
BILATERAL 2020
OAKVILLE, NAPA VALLEY

2020 Erikson And Caradin Cabernet Sauvignon Bilateral Napa Valley

Erikson & Caradin is a small, innovative winery in Napa Valley that is committed to producing fine wines with a handcrafted approach. The proprietors believe that soil, elevation, and climate play crucial roles in winemaking but that expertise and ambition can take wine to the next level.

The winery’s Innovative Series explores different vine training methods, and the “Bilateral” wine celebrates bilaterally-trained Cabernet Sauvignon vines grown in Oakville. The fruit for the 2020 vintage came from a vineyard across from Screaming Eagle, one of Napa’s most renowned wineries. The bilateral viticultural practices used in this vineyard resulted in grapes with great intensity and concentration, which is reflected in the finished wine.

The 2020 Bilateral Cabernet Sauvignon is a powerful and complex wine with intense flavors and a balanced structure that will surely please Cabernet Sauvignon lovers.

ERIKSON & CARADIN 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
BILATERAL 2020
OAKVILLE, NAPA VALLEY

Retails at: $140

Your Price: $49.99

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“The Erikson & Caradin 2020 Bilateral Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon has fragrant aromas of blueberry pie, black currants, elegant florals, fresh sage, and milk chocolate. The palate continues with ripe blackberries, black plums, Bing cherries, mocha, hints of allspice, and a touch of sweet vanilla. The seamless, lingering palate is very supple, with satiny tannins and a long, refined finish.”

95+ Points

2021 Vineyard 36 Foundation Red Napa Valley

2021 Vineyard 36 Foundation Red Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOak KnollOakvilleProprietary RedRutherfordUSA

VINEYARD 36 

FOUNDATION RED
NAPA VALLEY 2021

2021 Vineyard 36 Foundation Red Napa Valley
Professional hockey players Tim Gleason and Cam Ward teamed up with their friend Jason Earnest to create Vineyard 36 out of the group’s shared vision and a common goal to produce wines that express the diversity of Napa Valley. Keith Emerson joined as the Director of Winemaking in 2017, ironically having run programs for ultra-premium custom crush clientele for Vineyard 29 since 2005 at their state-of-the-art gravity-flow facility, bringing two decades of winemaking expertise and experience.
 
The Foundation pays tribute to Tim and Cam’s careers in hockey with an ice rink-shaped oval with faint skate marks. The Roman numeral III in the center represents the bond and friendship between the three friends. The 2021 vintage comprises 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot, sourced from Oakville, Oak Knoll, and Rutherford, giving a complete, balanced Napa red wine with power and definition. 
 
The Cabernet comes from one of Rutherford’s best-known vineyards, but non-disclosure agreements prevent me from telling you which one. 
 
VINEYARD 36 
FOUNDATION RED
NAPA VALLEY 2021
Retails at: $55
 
 
 
“The Vineyard 36 Foundation Napa Red 2021 begins with a bright nose with wild berries, marzipan, white rose, and spearmint hints. The lush palate continues with concentrated candied cherries, penetrating sweet boysenberries, leading to a lengthy finish with a nice balance between the ripe fruits and complexity, combined with slightly chalky/satiny tannins that will continue to unfurl in the future.” 
94 Points
2021 Saddleback Chardonnay Napa Valley

2021 Saddleback Chardonnay Napa Valley

with No Comment $30 and underChardonnayKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSA

SADDLEBACK

CHARDONNAY 2021
NAPA VALLEY

2021 Saddleback Chardonnay Napa Valley
Nils Venge is a celebrated American winemaker and the first to achieve a perfect 100 Point score by making the 1985 Groth Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, establishing a hierarchy of superior winemaking in Napa. Nils started Saddleback Cellars in 1976 on 14 acres of vineyards in Oakville, also home to Harlan Estate, Opus One, and Screaming Eagle.
 
Combining one of the country’s best winemakers, an impressive estate terroir, and a bit of sourcing from viticultural havens in Napa Valley, Nils crafts this outstanding Chardonnay, giving a frame of reference for what the variety is capable of in the right environment. 
 
Crafted in a quintessential Napa Valley style, Saddleback’s Chardonnay highlights Napa Valley character, combined with notes reminiscent of Burgundy, offering fantastic value at this price level. 
 
SADDLEBACK
CHARDONNAY 2021
NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $45
 
 
 
“Saddleback Cellars 2021 Napa Valley Chardonnay opens with acacia blossoms, vanilla bean, apricot, peach, and nutmeg notes. On the palate, the wine has a silky-smooth texture and flavors of ripe stone fruits, vanilla cream, baking spices, and a hint of wet stone minerality. This wine is a bright, fresh example of California Chardonnay and showing off at the moment, making an excellent pairing for this summer.”
94 Points