2018 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2018 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $70-$80Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaSpring MountainUSA

PRIDE MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2018 NAPA VALLEY

2018 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Pride Mountain Vineyards is a paradigm producer on Spring Mountain that defines its wines’ success by their uncanny ability to be identified in blind tastings. This distinction is due to the Estate’s highly unique terroir and their undeviating focus on producing intensely flavored wines that honor their fabulous property. At around $80, their 2018 Cabernet is a benchmark for high-elevation hillside Cabernet in Napa Valley, and you might grab some while you can.
 
The Estate Vineyards are at the top of Spring Mountain, and they straddle the Napa and Sonoma County line. The extreme elevation provides warm mornings and chilly afternoons that result in longer hang-time, contributing textural and flavor characteristics that don’t exist anywhere else in the world. This location is only part of the reason why their wines are so desirable. 
 
Winemaker Sally Johnson employs traditional winemaking practices designed to let the terroir of the grapes take center stage. Her method includes 100% destemming the red varietals and fermenting over two-weeks in stainless steel tank before transferring the wine to French oak barrels for roughly 18 months. 
 
PRIDE MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2018 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $76
 
 
“Black currant, Morello cherry and just-ripe black mission fig dance with the aromas of sage, candied violets, star anise and black truffle. The palate is dense and compact with incredible structure. Layers of complex black and red fruit fill the mouth, while sandalwood, bay, graphite and forest aromatics linger with the velvety tannins on the long and dynamic finish. This is a showstopper!”
2017 Ty Caton Winemaker's Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon Moon Mountain District

2017 Ty Caton Winemaker’s Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon Moon Mountain District

with No Comment $30 and underCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtMoon MountainSonomaUSA

TY CATON 

WINEMAKER’S CUVEE
2017 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
MOON MOUNTAIN DISTRICT 

2017 Ty Caton Winemaker's Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon Moon Mountain District
Ty Caton’s motto is to produce handcrafted wines of distinction with an authentic sense of place from his incredible Estate vineyard on Moon Mountain. He divided his 40-acre vineyard into distinct blocks defined by sun exposures, soil type, incline, clone, and elevation to help achieve this. His wines showcase their varietal intently and are powerful yet perfectly restrained and balanced. Each year his Winemaker’s Cuvee offers a fantastic portrayal of his entire property and the vintage itself, and at less than thirty bucks, the value is substantial.
 
The Caton Vineyard is on the Sonoma side of Mount Veeder. The well-drained red volcanic soils are also home to icons like the Monte Rosso, which was made famous by Louis Martini, and the Frederick’s Vineyard used by Turley.  
 
In the 2017 release, Ty’s Winemaker’s Cuvée is centered around 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and made even more complex with additions of Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Merlot. The wine has terrific fruit intensity, supple tannins, and noble balance.
 
TY CATON 
WINEMAKER’S CUVEE
2017 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
MOON MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
Retails at: $38
 
Your Price: $28 
 
 
“The 2017 Estate Winemofaker’s Cuvee meets the palate with rich and full-bodied flavors of black currant, red plums, and cassis, followed by oak notes of cedar and vanilla. These dark flavors produce a lush and velvety textured mouth feel that combine with supple tannins and leads to a long silky finish.”
2015 Crowley Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District

2015 Crowley Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaSpring MountainUSA

CROWLEY VINEYARD

2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
SPRING MOUNTAIN DISTRICT

2015 Crowley Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District
Crowley Vineyard represents the epitome of a passionate grower whose quality of fruit and biodynamic viticulture is recognized by wineries like Barnett, Behrens Family, Sherwin, Robert Craig, but who also makes a small amount of wine of their own. The wines are made by Stephen Tebb, who spent the last ten years as Director of Winemaking for Robert Craig, and specializes in Mountain Terroir. Stephen created Crowley’s version from superior blocks and clones within the vineyard, and at the winery price of $95, it’s absolutely stunning. Of course, at our price of $49, you can’t have too much of this wine in your cellar.  
 
The vineyard is at the top of Spring Mountain, where rocky and well-drained, red volcanic Aiken loam produces densely concentrated fruit. At 2000 feet elevation, the days are around 10 degrees cooler than the valley floor and combined with the highest rainfall in Napa Valley and unique soils, create fruit with intense flavors, fine structure, and soft tannins. 
 
Stephen crafts this wine using gentle and minimal handling, resulting in Crowley’s Spring Mountain Vineyard’s pure expression of the land. The 2015 release is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and spent 18 months in 70% developing new French oak barrels. The wine is rocking now and will also go the distance in the cellar.
 
CROWLEY VINEYARD
2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
SPRING MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
Retails at: $95
 
 
 
“The Crowley Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 begins with a super-rich, deep nose beginning with concentrated blackberry purée, cherry pipe tobacco, creme de cassis, and purple flowers, leading to hints of crushed minerals and sweet vanilla spice. The palate is very focused and concentrated, with penetrating mixed berries, black plums, and exotic spices. It finishes with a pristine balance, stunning linearity, exceptional richness, and uncanny length. This one is extraordinary, and I highly recommend it.”
96 Points
2016 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2016 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

SILVER OAK

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2016 NAPA VALLEY

2016 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Silver Oak is consistent in its distinctive style of crafting age-worthy Cabernets with extravagant levels of sweet black fruits, vanilla, and savory elements. In exceptional years like 2016, those qualities become even more powerful and pronounced. The brand has dominated the space for high-quality domestic Cabernet Sauvignon over the past four decades, and their 2016 Napa release is among their finest.
 
This wine hails from the remarkable 2016 vintage, which the Wine Spectator ranks as the highest-rated vintage for Napa Valley Cabernet since 1997. The vintage produced powerful wines with superb intensity, balance, and fully-developed favors. 
 
Silver Oak’s distinct style comes by aging their Napa Valley Cabernet for an impressive 24 months in American oak barrels and two more years in the bottle before release. The extended barrel aging and time in the bottle results in a wine with beautifully integrated flavors that’s ready to drink now and will stand the test of time. 
 
SILVER OAK
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2016 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $125
 
 
“Deep ruby in color, the 2016 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is an opulent wine with notes of cassis, ripe raspberry, toasted coconut and shiitake mushroom. This wine has a rich entry, depth through the mid-palate, great structure without being heavy and exceptional length on the finish. Fresh cherry flavors balanced with floral notes and a subtle hint of black pepper add a beautiful complexity. Plush tannins lend to its ageworthiness. Given proper cellaring conditions, this wine will show beautifully through 2040.”
2017 Altagracia Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

2017 Altagracia Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonCalistogaKevin VogtNapaUSA

ALTAGRACIA

2017 EISELE VINEYARD
CABERNET SAUVIGNON

2017 Altagracia Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
The Eisele Vineyard dates back to the 1880s and is one of the New World’s great terroirs. The site was made famous by the Araujos in the 1990s through 2013 when Chateau Latour purchased it. Today, they farm the vineyard organically and biodynamically, and the new owners aim to make singular wines of the highest caliber. The wines invariably express remarkable depth, elegance, longevity, and balance. At around a quarter of their top Eisele Vineyard Cabernet’s price, Altagracia offers a beautiful introduction to this magical Estate.
 
At Eisele Vineyard, winemaking takes a back seat to terroir, allowing the vineyard to express its most clear voice. There is no signature style to their winemaking, yet their team is precise, uncompromising, natural, and honest in their approach, and all of this is highly transparent in their wines. 
 
The vineyard sits at the Eastern edge of Calistoga, at the Palisade Mountain Range base, where an ancient creekbed that bisects the Estate spread an alluvial fan of cobbly volcanic soils that make this site unique. The vines there produce small berries of thick-skinned, intensely flavored grapes. 
 
ALTAGRACIA
2017 EISELE VINEYARD
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
 
Your Price: $135
 
 
“Blackberry and tile aromas with tobacco and spice. Some chocolate, too. Medium to full body and firm, velvety tannins that show a juicy finish. Fine yet dusty tannins. Rich for the vintage. Delicious now or hold.”
94 Points
 
“… Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Altagracia leaps from the glass, offering bold, expressive notes of blackberry pie, Black Forest cake and warm cassis with hints of garrigue, mossy tree bark, dusty soil and black pepper plus a fragrant waft of cinnamon stick. Medium to full-bodied, the palate offers a great core of rich, spicy black fruit preserves, framed with firm, chewy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing earthy.”
93 Points
 
“The 2017 Altagracia is closer to its brother the Eisele Vineyard Cabernet than ever. The nose is floral and delicate at first, opening with a whiff of laurel, musk and patchouli. The mouthfeel is generous and ample with spicy notes of cumin and turmeric. The tannins are fine and chiseled, revealed by a gentle hand on extraction in the cellar. Notes of mocha, espresso and graphite linger on the palate while the fruit breaks out in the finish with fresh fig and black currant, reminding us of the tiny berries that were the signature of the 2017 vintage.”
2016 Leto Cellars Exceptional Selection Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena

2016 Leto Cellars Exceptional Selection Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena Napa Valley

with No Comment $70-$80Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaSaint HelenaUSA

LETO CELLARS

EXCEPTIONAL SELECTION
2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
ST HELENA, NAPA VALLEY

2016 Leto Cellars Exceptional Selection Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena
The pinnacle wine produced by Leto Cellars is their Exceptional Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, and it accurately lives up to its name. The wine is exceptional in terms of extract, power, and finesse. The only problem is with 72 cases produced, very few will get to experience this exceptional effort. 
 
The Exceptional Selection is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon drawn from a micro-block of half-century-old vines in the heart of St Helena. The low-yielding, dry-farmed vines have deep root systems that provide a vivid portrayal of their unique terroir, which delivers with powerful intensity, grace, and balance.  
 
After developing for 21 months in oak, the wine has enticing aromas of rich black fruits, roasted espresso, dark chocolate, and rocky minerals. With 3 barrels made and a savings of nearly $50/btl, I wouldn’t hesitate to secure a case.
 
LETO CELLARS
EXCEPTIONAL SELECTION
2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
ST HELENA, NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $125
 
 
 
“The precisely shaped and exquisitely balanced Leto Exceptional Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 begins with an elegant nose filled with black plums, black currants, smooth blue fruits, baking spices, rose petals and sweet vanilla oak. There is a seamless combination of freshly crushed mountain blackberries, kirsch, and light tobacco notes on the palate. The finish is focused, penetrating, balanced, and long, making this wine a truly exceptional selection.”
94 Points
2018 Foley Johnson Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford

2018 Foley Johnson Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUSA

FOLEY JOHNSON 

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2018 RUTHERFORD 

2018 Foley Johnson Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford
Bill Foley is a titan in the wine industry, with around thirty successful brands, including Merus, Lancaster, Kuleto, and many others. Foley Johnson is paramount, and not only because it bears his name, but it’s in the heart of Rutherford, one of the top regions in America for growing premium Cabernet. Paragons Quintessa, BV, and Scarecrow all set precedence for quality there. The best will fuse elegance, complexity, and dusty tannins in a way that makes you want to enjoy them regularly, but with an average price of over $100, it can be tough to find one at a modest price. At under $40, Foley Johnson is one of the best values in the region. 
 
Reigning from Rutherford, an area long celebrated for its exceptional terroir and dusty tannins, this exemplary Cabernet Sauvignon shines with all of the Rutherford hallmarks I love. The 2018 release is compelling, focused, and packed with concentrated red and black fruits, wild violets, crushed rock, and, of course, beautiful Rutherford dust. 
 
The wine is made by Giovani Verdejo, who gained his experience working at Merus and assisting under Dave Lattin at Kuleto Estate. Gio aged the 2018 Cab for 18 months in a mix of French, American and Hungarian oak, and he completed the blend with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petite Sirah.
 
FOLEY JOHNSON 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2018 RUTHERFORD 
Retails at: $75
 
Your Price: $39.99
 
 
“Upon opening our 2018 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, aromas of black cherry and cassis fill the glass, followed by a hint of mocha. On the palate, bold tannins are balanced with concentrated flavors of ripe fig with savory notes of black olive and dried herbs. Well structured and full bodied, our Cabernet Sauvignon is approachable now, but will age beautifully over the next 5-10 years.” 
2016 Palmaz Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2016 Palmaz Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonCoombsvilleNapaUSA

PALMAZ

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2016 NAPA VALLEY 

2016 Palmaz Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Palmaz combines cutting-edge technology, talent, and a passion for producing riveting Napa Valley wines. They believe in farming each vine, rather than the entire vineyard as a whole, and they achieve this through advanced Geographic Informational Systems. They also have consultants like legendary viticulturist Mike Wolf and top consulting winemaker Mia Klein to help give voice to their incredible Coombsville vineyard. Their 2016 Napa Cabernet is classically styled, profound, and penetrating, and at around $150, it stunningly delivers everything Cabernet lovers want. 
 
The winery itself is an architectural marvel, extending 18 stories underground, created for gravity-flow winemaking, eliminating mechanical pumps and minimizing the turbulence that damages wines’ molecular structure.
 
Emerging from the blockbuster 2016 vintage, which ranks as the highest-rated vintage since 1997 according to the Wine Spectator Vintage Report, this 2016 is powerfully elegant and effortlessly balanced. 
 
PALMAZ
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2016 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $165
 
Your Price: $150
 
 
“With a greeting of freshly fired creme brûlée and toasted currant, the 2016 Palmaz Cabernet draws you in for a cozy embrace. Comforting flavors of vanilla, caramel, and baked boysenberry dance across the palate. The voluptuous fruit flavors are effortlessly balanced with elegant tannins that cover the tongue like a feather – spreading to every hidden taste bud in the deepest corners of the palate. An everlasting finish that holds steadfast, begging to be remembered – satisfied only by the indulgence of a second glass.”
2014 Shottesbrooke Punch Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale

2014 Shottesbrooke Punch Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale

with No Comment $30 and underAustraliaCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtMcLaren Vale

SHOTTESBROOKE

2014 PUNCH RESERVE 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
MCLAREN VALE

2014 Shottesbrooke Punch Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale
Shottesbrooke is a pillar of our Australian section at the shop, and they’re absolutely a producer to watch. The winery was just named “Australia’s Best Producer” at the 27th Mundus Vini Grand International Wine Completion, and their 2018 Punch Reserve Cabernet took “Best of Show” in the Australian Red category. At around $30, their 2014 Punch Reserve Cab is sensational and offers deep power and concentration, firm tannins, fresh acidity, and remarkable detail. 
 
The winery fashioned the Punch Reserve Cabernet from a vineyard planted in the late ’60s to the low-yielding Reynell Clone, which is known for producing powerful and robust Cabernet Sauvignon fruit.
 
They named this wine Punch after a Clydesdale horse that worked on the property, acknowledging the contribution of the early pioneers of viticulture in McLaren Vale. Shottesbrooke only produces this wine in years of outstanding quality, so timing is of the essence in securing yours. 
 
SHOTTESBROOKE
2014 PUNCH RESERVE 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
MCLAREN VALE
Retails at: $40
 
Your Price: $29.99
 
 
“Distinct development in the colour, but not alarming. A very savoury wine, with earth and dried herbs closely accompanying blackcurrant fruit. An unexpected waft of freshness comes on the intake of breath after the previous taste”
93 Points
 
“Rich purple hues mellow into a deep red; The nose exhibits small berry fruit aromas of black cherries, blueberries and black currants, along with a hint of mint and pepper; The first impression of the palate is of richness and depth. Further exploration shows layers of toasty oak and some dark chocolate flavours, along with pleasant mint and blackcurrant. The wine is mouth filling with great length.”
2015 Chateau De Vie Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga

2015 Chateau De Vie Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonCalistogaKevin VogtNapaUSA

CHATEAU DE VIE

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 CALISTOGA 

2015 Chateau De Vie Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga
Chateau de Vie isn’t just a working B&B surrounded by world-class vineyards. They also produce a small amount of powerful Cabernet Sauvignon that’s clean and focused, with exceptional fruit and intertwined minerality. Dave Phinney, the winemaker responsible for creating The Prisoner, Orin Swift, and Location brands, helps make it. Dave also consults for a handful of small wineries, and Chateau de Vie might be a lesser known brand, but the quality of their wine is something special.
 
The estate is located on the northern end of Calistoga and sits almost directly behind Tamber Bey and not far from Chateau Montelena. Their soils are loaded with volcanic compounds, formed by ancient lava flows, and produce Cabernet Sauvignon with powerful fruit and intriguing minerality. 
 
Calistoga is warmer than most other appellations in Napa, and thus, produces some of the biggest, boldest, and most robust Cabernet Sauvignons in the Valley. Chateau De Vie perfectly details all of the qualities that I love about Calistoga Cabernet and delivers them with focus and balance. 
 
CHATEAU DE VIE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 CALISTOGA
Retails at: $68
 
 
“The Chateau de Vie 2015 is everything you would hope for from this spectacular vintage. It begins with an enticing nose with briary red currants, cool blue fruits, purple flowers, a hint of spearmint and vanilla spice. The seductively lively palate is balanced with red cherries, wild blackberries, dark plums, cassis and cocoa powder. The beautiful finish has just enough bright acidity to keep your mouth watering for more.”
93 Points, Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier
 
“All Estate Grown fruit off of 3.5 acres on the Northwest side of Calistoga. Aged in 70% New French Oak Barrels for 22 months This is a deeply rich and satisfying Cabernet with aromas of blackberry, mocha, black fig, dark brown bread and rich vanilla. The wine is fleshy in texture and ripe on the palate, with almost a heady display of blueberry, black fig and toasted caramel. The finish is long and sweetly ripe and will pair nicely with rich cheeses and ripe fruits as well as dark roasts or sauced filet. It is essentially ready to drink and will grow softer and more aromatic over the next few years.”
80% Cabernet Sauvignon | 10% Petite Verdot |10% Cabernet Franc