2016 Rafael et Fils Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2016 Rafael et Fils Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOak KnollUSA

RAFAEL et FILS

2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
ESTATE, NAPA VALLEY

2016 Rafael et Fils Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
In winemaking, state-of-the-art equipment and acclaimed fruit sources never hurt, but the human element of having passionate people involved can be as evident as the terroir itself. Marc Rafael is infectiously passionate, spirited, and an all-around nice guy. His wines are some of the most balanced, honest, and well-rounded interpretations of Oak Knoll terroir that I’ve tasted. Even at the winery retail price of around $70, this wine is memorable and overachieving. At our price, it’s one of my favorites in the shop. 
 
Fans of a more Bordeaux styled Napa Cabernet that’s long and persistent, with remarkable balance and subtle early qualities, should look closely at the Western side of the Oak Knoll district. The area’s complex soils and micro-climate that’s one of the coolest in Napa Valley enable the fruit to develop concentrated flavors at ripe sugar levels with refreshing, balanced acidity. 
 
Rafael et Fils Cabernet is all about balance, with complex, lengthy, lingering flavors. Marc ages the wine for 23 months in 30% new French oak barrels to showcase the fruit’s purity. If you’re looking for a Cabernet that will impress even the most discerning palate, give this boutique producer a shot, and I’m confident that you’ll be delighted that you did.
 
RAFAEL et FILS
2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
ESTATE, NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $69
 
 
“The 2016 Rafael et Fils Oak Knoll Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 perfectly reflect Marc Rafael’s humble style and grace. It is a refined and elegant wine with absolutely every element beautifully arranged and styled in a stunningly harmonious fashion. It begins with deep, seamless aromas of dried currants, blackberries and cassis, combined with subtle tobacco and cedar. On the palate, it is a symphony of red and black fruits, with every nuance in perfect balance. The rich, smooth, complex finish drifts off into infinity with amazing poise, leaving me with a captivating, warming glow.” 93 Points 
2015 Anthem Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder Estate

2015 Anthem Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder Estate

with No Comment $60-$70Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtMt VeederNapaUncategorizedUSA

ANTHEM

2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
MOUNT VEEDER ESTATE

2015 Anthem Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder Estate
Every decision making Anthem impacts the quality of wine that they produce, and their production team is free to vinify without regard to cost or other extraneous factors. You can taste their relentless drive for creating the highest quality wine possible from their Estate in every glass. The wines are crafted by Jeff Ames, who mentored under Thomas Rivers Brown at Schrader, Maybach, Outpost, and TOR before becoming head winemaker at TOR in 2005. Jeff is also the owner/winemaker at Rudius, which was my #1 wine in 2019.
 
Mount Veeder arose from an ancient seabed, and it’s the coolest Mountain AVA in Napa, known for producing complex, savory and age-worthy Cabernets. Jeff accentuates those flavors in an elegantly balanced way and doesn’t lose the sense of place.
 
Anthem’s Cabernet is all about balance, length, and escalating intensity, and the 2015 vintage is stunningly rich with penetrating red fruits laced with savory characteristics. The vines yielded just 1.9 tons per acre of super-concentrated berries, and after 18 months in barrel and three years in the bottle, this wine rocks.
 
ANTHEM
2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
MOUNT VEEDER ESTATE
Retails at: $135
 
 
“A juicy and fruity red with chocolate, red peppers and hints of herbs. Full body, round and succulent tannins and a flavorful finish. Lovely mountain wine. Drink or hold.” 93 Points
 
“A polished and lush version, with boysenberry and blueberry reduction notes forming the core of flavors, while licorice snap and fruitcake hints fill in. Features a roasted apple wood backdrop, though the fruit easily takes center stage through the rich finish. Best from 2020 through 2035…” 92 Points
 
“… Deep garnet-purple in color, it opens with notes of prunes, raisin cake and spice box with hints of fresh figs, tobacco and new leather. Full-bodied with a plush frame and loads of evolving baked berries layers, it has tons of spices coming through on the finish.” 91 Points
 
“Our 2015 Mt. Veeder Estate Cabernet is a blockbuster mountain Cabernet from Anthem’s own vineyards located at 400 feet in Napa Valley’s Western hillsides. The lower yields in 2015 produced fruit with intense, plush dark berry flavors that Winemaker Jeff Ames crafted into an exquisitely rich Mt. Veeder Cabernet.”
2017 Cade Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

2017 Cade Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

with No Comment $90-$100Cabernet SauvignonHowell MountainKevin VogtNapaUSA

CADE 

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2017 HOWELL MOUNTAIN
 
2017 Cade Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain
CADE’s vision is to produce a modern Howell Mountain Cabernet that articulates their majestic grapes’ power while balancing all of the other components from acidity and tannins to oak. They’re able to achieve this with state-of-the-art equipment, organically farmed grapes, and a talented winemaking team led by Danielle Cyrot, who spent six years at Stags’ Leap Winery. Jeb Dunnuck calls their 2017 “a brilliant value,” and with a 96 point score, don’t hesitate to secure some.
 
Composed from five of the best vineyards on Howell Mountain, including Ink Grade, Eagle Summit, Cold Springs, Cade Estate, and Cade 13th, this wine offers a vivid glimpse into the power of Howell Mountain fruit.  
 
After developing for 19 months in barrel and more than a year in the bottle, the 2017 release is stunningly complex, polished, and laced with intriguing minerals. The wine is rocking right now and promises another decade or more of improvement.
 
CADE 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2017 HOWELL MOUNTAIN
Retails at: $110
 
Your Price: $99.99
 
 
“Coming from estate fruit on Howell Mountain and made from 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% each of Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Merlot, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate offers a darker, more mineral-driven style compared to the Napa release. It has beautiful blackcurrant, cassis, forest floor, graphite, and tobacco leaf-like aromas and flavors. Deep, full-bodied, beautifully polished and elegant, it’s another remarkable effort from this team. As Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon goes, it’s a brilliant value!” 96 Points
 
“The 2017 Cade Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, blended with 4% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot and 4% Merlot, is deep garnet-purple colored and a little closed, slowly giving up warm cassis, blackberry tart and mulberries with touches of spice box, pencil shavings and Marmite toast. The full-bodied palate is firm, grainy and muscular with an earthy expression and just enough freshness, finishing on a lingering mineral note.”  94 Points
 
“The wine has aromas of blueberry, blackberry, coco nibs, cran- raspberry, roasted coffee, clove, cinnamon, black pepper, mint, and fruit leather. The wine has a velvety texture with lush and prominent tannins and bright acidity. There are flavors of boysenberry, blueberry pie, red cherry, cola, vanilla, graham cracker, and chocolate truffles.”
2017 Luke Goldschmidt Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2017 Luke Goldschmidt Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30 and underAlexander ValleyCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtSonomaUSA

LUKE GOLDSCHMIDT

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2017 ALEXANDER VALLEY

2017 Luke Goldschmidt Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Alexander Valley is celebrated for producing value Cabernets with a bold structure, mouth-quenching acidity, and intense dark fruits that are age-worthy and can be captivating on release. Nick Goldschmidt has produced some brilliant examples over the years, and he’s well-versed in the region, having made SIMI wines since the early 90s. Luke Goldschmidt is a partnership between Nick and his son Luke, and like his father, Luke has vast experience making wine all over the world from Chile, France, Spain, Argentina to New Zealand. At $22, this wine is rocking.
 
The 2017 vintage is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from low-vigor vines, yielding just 3.5 tons per acre of highly concentrated berries. The wine is deep and rich on the palate, and layered with red and black fruits, cocoa, cherry pipe tobacco, and dried herbs. 
 
Nick and Luke fermented this release in a combination of French, American, and Hungarian Oak barrels, which added compelling spice notes and vexations of toasty oak. Just like in previous Goldschmidt Cabernets, this beauty out-performs others at double its price.
 
LUKE GOLDSCHMIDT
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2017 ALEXANDER VALLEY
Retails at: $25
 
Your Price: $22
 
 
“Nicely focused red cherry and red raspberry aromas. Loaded with red berry fruit flavors with a touch of caramel, dark chocolate, and toasty oak. Full and well-structured from the long hang time. The texture is smooth and the mouth medium bodied. White pepper and spice in the finish with long and supple tannins.”
2018 Forturne 1621 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2018 Fortune 1621 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $30 and underCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOak KnollUSA

FORTUNE 1621

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2018 NAPA VALLEY

2018 Forturne 1621 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
I love it when a family-owned winery has a break-out vintage that shows off their expert winemaking and excellent fruit sources. Fortune 1621 Cabernet is a staple in our shop’s value area, and their 2018 is an even higher level of quality, concentration, and balance. At under $30, you honestly do not want to miss the boat on this one. 
 
The 2018 release of the Fortune 1621 Cab is the handiwork of winemaker Brian Mox, who spent several vintages at Lewis Cellars, and he’s also the winemaker at Laird. The 2018 growing season was faultless and virtually uninterrupted by significant heat spikes. This environment provided a prolonged hang-time, allowing the fruit to accumulate intense flavor and complexity. 
 
Located in Oak Knoll, the vineyard benefits from the evening shadows of the Mayacamas Mountain range, where the micro-climate is one of the coolest in Napa Valley. It produces gorgeous fruit with incredible character, and the 2018 release is something special. At $30, it’s one of the best Cabs that I’ve tasted this year.
 
FORTUNE 1621
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2018 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $29.99
 
 
 
“Fresh nose of toasty oak, vanilla, blackberry, Bing cherry and touches of chocolate. The palate is full bodied with jammy fruit entry of ripe cherry, blackberry and hints of oak spice. Can be enjoyed on its own, but has enough structure and concentration to go with grilled meats.”
 
2018 Black Powder Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

2018 Black Powder Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

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

BLACK POWDER

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2018 HOWELL MOUNTAIN 

2018 Black Powder Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain
With the average price of Howell Mountain Cabernet upwards of $150 per bottle, finding one at $40 will make just about anyone do a double-take. We found one, and the wine is dynamite. It’s everything that you’d expect from this iconic AVA and offers a blast of dark mountain berries, dominant focus, and towering structure. Occasionally, we’ll offer a wine that screams for you to stock-your-cellar, and this is undoubtedly one of them. This wine is ridiculously delicious now and will pay dividends in the cellar for 20 years if you can hang on to it that long…
 
Black Powder exploded from the Western Slopes of Howell Mountain at a staggering 2100 feet in elevation, where the vines produce potent berries. In 2018 mother nature helped guide them to the peak of perfection. 
 
This is a hot new project made by Bobby Moy, who passed the trial-by-fire in the wine industry mentoring under Thomas Rivers Brown. This 2018 is poised to blow-up all expectations of what you thought was possible for Howell Mountain Cabernet at a value price. 
 
BLACK POWDER
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2018 HOWELL MOUNTAIN
Retails at: $50
 
Your Price: $39.99
 
 
“The Black Powder Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is an absolutely delightful wine, starting with a lush nose of blackberries, black plums, violets, crushed granite and baking spices. The palate beautifully displays mixed berry cobbler, dark chocolate, espresso roast and fresh sage. This is a textbook version of a Howell Mountain Cab, with firm, slightly dusty tannins, focused fruit, complex minerals, and a long finish. While it is drinking better at this point than I would expect for a 2018 Howell Mountain Cab, I see potential for even greater depth and complexity with bottle age and and/or more time in the glass.” 93-95 Points
2017 O'Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2017 O’Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $70-$80Cabernet SauvignonHowell MountainKevin VogtMt VeederNapaOakvilleUSA

O’SHAUGHNESSY

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2017 NAPA VALLEY

2017 O'Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
O’Shaughnessy is one of Napa Valley’s top Cabernet producers, and it’s rare for us to feature their wines because of their scarcity. They have machine-like consistency for producing focused, intensely flavored Cabernets with perfect balance. At $75, their Napa Valley Cabernet perfectly represents their powerful style, and as Jeb Dunnuck says, “It’s a terrific 2017 as well as a good value.”
 
O’Shaughnessy’s Napa Valley Cabernet is composed using all Estate fruit from the winery’s properties on Howell Mountain, Mount Veeder, and Oakville. The wine perfectly expresses Mountain terroir with Oakville elegance in a way that brings me back for more. 
 
Since their inception, O’Shaughnessy’s winemaker has been Sean Capiaux, whom you might know from his work at Peter Michael or his own brand Capiaux. He did a terrific job on the 2017 which has concentrated, supple dark fruits, fresh violets, and complex savory notes.
 
O’SHAUGHNESSY
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2017 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $75
 
 
 
“Moving to the reds, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley checks in as 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and 5% Malbec that spent 20 months in 75% new French oak. Deep purple-colored with notes of blackcurrants, blueberries, smoked earth, white chocolate, and crushed violets, it’s medium to full-bodied, ripe, and sexy, with a core of sweet fruit. It’s a terrific 2017 as well as a good value.”  93 Points
 
“A very reserved and structured cabernet with red and dark berries, as well as cedary notes and a savory, iodine-like edge. The palate has a very balanced and composed feel with a sleek, focused edge to the fresh blackcurrant flavors. Drink or hold.” 93 Points
 
“O’Shaughnessy’s 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is a terrific choice for drinking now and over the next few years. Bright aromatics, plush fruit and silky tannins give the 2017 much of its immediate appeal. Sweet red cherry, plum, mint, spice, blood orange, and rose petal all meld together in this very pretty and engaging Cabernet; there is certainly plenty to like here. As always, the Napa Valley Cabernet is a blend of fruit from O’Shaughnessy’s Oakville, Howell Mountain and Mt. Veeder ranches.” 91 Points
2016 Pavi Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2016 Pavi Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $50-$60Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleRutherfordSpring MountainUSA

PAVI

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 NAPA VALLEY 

2016 Pavi Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Pavi means lightning, and their new 2016 Napa Cabernet precisely reflects that. The 2016 vintage has a regal presence on the palate that’s defined by lush fruit and superior richness. Renown winemaker Rob Lawson owns the winery, and throughout his career, Rob helped craft some of the top brands produced at Napa Wine Company while he was GM. He’s also responsible for helping shape the 2007 Kapcscandy Grand Vin, which scored a perfect 100 point score from Robert Parker.   
 
Pavi’s 2016 release combines high-quality grapes from Rutherford, Oakville, and Spring Mountain AVAs. The Rutherford vineyard is on the Southeastern end of the AVA, just South of Caymus, and the Oakville fruit comes from the center of Oakville.
 
The final blend is 97% Cabernet Sauvignon along with 3% Petite Verdot, which contributes to the lush, dark fruit. The only downside is there were only 150 cases of this beauty produced, and at this price, you might want to strike quickly…
 
PAVI
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $85
 
 
 
“This is a lush, full-bodied wine, rich and bright with dark-fruit flavors and floral aromas. The intense flavors of black cherry, peppery spice, and cocoa come together in a balanced wine that is a perfect complement to savory grilled and braised meats, mushroom pizza and the perfect hamburger”
2015 Elyse Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli Vineyard Rutherford

2015 Elyse Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli Vineyard Rutherford

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUSA

ELYSE

2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
MORISOLI VINEYARD
RUTHERFORD

2015 Elyse Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli Vineyard Rutherford
Grand Cru means ‘great growth,’ and in France’s Burgundy region, it’s the top of the pyramid for the highest-quality grapes. They only bestow that designation after prolonged observation of a site with a history of producing exceptional fruit. If Napa Valley were to use the same system, the historic Morisoli Vineyard planted in the 1880s, which sits on the center of the iconic Rutherford Bench, would undoubtedly be on it. The vineyard’s neighbors include icons Staglin, Inglenook, and Scarecrow, and if you’re looking for a wine with a powerful sense of place, remarkable balance, and incredible value, this Cabernet should top your list…
 
Morisoli Vineyard sits on gravelly bale, clay loam soils with excellent drainage. The site has a proven track record of producing fruit with bold flavors, depth, intriguing spice, and unmistakable Rutherford dust. Over the years, its fruit has graced the wines of BV’s flagship Georges de Latour Cabernet, Trujillo, V. Sattui, Sequoia Grove, Orin Swift Mercury Head, and the list goes on… 
 
Elyse recognized the quality of Morisoli early on, and they’ve produced their flagship single-vineyard Morisoli Cabernet for more than 25 consecutive vintages. At $85, this wine is a brilliant example of Morisoli Cabernet, but at our price, it’s simply one of the best Cabernets in the shop.
 
ELYSE
2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
MORISOLI VINEYARD
RUTHERFORD
Retails at: $85
 
 
 
“Deep, dark red in color with layers of black fruit and spice aromas – cassis, black pepper, black cherries, nutmeg, plumbs, and cedar. The full-bodied palate gushes with ripe blackberries, currants, cherries, and espresso crema followed by warm, sweet oak, bright acidity, and those signature dusty tannins of the Rutherford appellation. True to form, this wine displays year after year the power and elegance that is so characteristic of this renowned vineyard.”
2017 Witchery Reserve Cabernet Howell Mountain Two Barrel Production

2017 Witchery Reserve Cabernet Howell Mountain Two Barrel Production

with No Comment $90-$100Cabernet SauvignonHowell MountainKevin VogtNapaUSA

WITCHERY

2017 RESERVE CABERNET
HOWELL MOUNTAIN
TWO BARREL PRODUCTION

2017 Witchery Reserve Cabernet Howell Mountain Two Barrel Production
Witchery translates to an irresistible fascination, and just about everybody that tries it becomes entranced, and collects each subsequent vintage. A single taste of Witchery Cabernet casts a powerful spell beneath the rich, hedonistic flavors, and wine lovers don’t stand a chance. Their two-barrel production Howell Mountain Reserve Cabernet stands tall amongst the area’s most revered producers. With the micro-production and macro quality of this vintage, there will be many people on the hunt for more.
 
The wine team produced this profound interpretation of Howell Mountain Cabernet from an unnamed vineyard that produces majestic quality fruit. The 2017 vintage shows off all of the hallmarks that make the area so desired, with authoritative power, towering structure, and profoundly rich and hedonistic flavors.  
 
This creation was held captive for nearly two years in new French oak barrels, and now with more than a year inside the bottle, the wine is remarkably complex and oozes inky dark berries, black chocolates, spices and hints of violets. With around 50 cases produced, Don’t hesitate to secure yours.
 
WITCHERY
2017 RESERVE CABERNET
HOWELL MOUNTAIN
TWO BARREL PRODUCTION
Retails at: $125
 
Your Price: $99.99
 
 
“There were only two barrels or roughly 50 cases produced of the 2017 vintage of Witchery Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. This vintage beautifully follows a long string of incredible vintages for Witchery. The nose draws you in with powerful black cherries, ripe plums, balanced Spring lavender, fresh sage, and vanilla spice. Then on the palate, the focused, concentrated flavors begin with ripe mountain blackberries, red currants, and Burgundy plums, complemented by cocoa powder, espresso dust, and layers of complexity. If you are a fan of Witchery’s previous vintages, this one will cast a deep spell upon you as well…”  95 Points