2018 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Lot C-91 Napa Valley

2018 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Lot C-91 Napa Valley

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

Heitz Cellar

Cabernet Sauvignon
Lot C-91 2018
Napa Valley

2018 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Lot C-91 Napa Valley

A visionary pioneer, Joe Heitz etched his name into Napa Valley history by introducing the region’s first vineyard-designated Cabernet Sauvignon from Martha’s Vineyard in the late 1950s. He subsequently founded Heitz Cellar in 1961.

Lot C-91 traces its origins to the autumn of 1969. Joe had a profound realization: by carefully selecting grapes from his finest parcels, he could craft a wine that transcended the sum of its components. The resulting wine embodies the culmination of five decades of relentless dedication, experimentation, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence. 

A passionate homage to Joe Heitz, who passed in 2000, this cuvée is meticulously crafted in each vintage. The 2018 vintage, predominantly sourced from estate vineyards in St. Helena, incorporates fruit from the revered appellations of Oakville, Rutherford, and Howell Mountain. The result is a flawlessly balanced Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, a timeless testament to Joe Heitz and his enduring legacy.

Heitz Cellar
Cabernet Sauvignon
Lot C-91 2018
Napa Valley
Retails at: $120

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“In 1969, Joe Heitz made a cuvée that was more outstanding than his Napa Cabernet, but not a single-vineyard bottling. In 2018, after the winery was bought by Gaylon Lawrence Jr., the team at Heitz discovered four bottles and decided they should set out to recreate Joe’s experiment. It is the boldest of the bunch: a delicious hedonistic pleasure filled red with excellent balance and teeming with pure dark fruit notes, rich earthen spices, dried purple florals, cedarwood, tobacco, and dark chocolate — a firm acid backbone frames fine-grained tannins. There is plenty of richness, balanced by tension and energy. Lawrence Wine Estates Master Sommelier and CEO Carlton McCoy calls it the ‘uber Napa cuvee’ and the best multi-site expression of Heitz for the vintage.”

95 Points

2018 Chateau Cantenac Brown Margaux Gran Cru Bordeaux

2018 Chateau Cantenac Brown Margaux Gran Cru Bordeaux

with No Comment $70-$80BordeauxBordeauxFranceKevin Vogt

Château Cantenac Brown

Margaux 2018
Grand Cru Classé 1855
Bordeaux, France

2018 Chateau Cantenac Brown Margaux Gran Cru Bordeaux

In Margaux, pedigree is never accidental. The 2018 Cantenac Brown stands securely within its 1855 Third Growth lineage, yet speaks with striking modern precision. Built on 69% Cabernet Sauvignon and shaped through deliberate élevage, it marries classical Left Bank structure with precision and control. History is present, but never heavy. The result is a wine where tradition and exacting craftsmanship meet in seamless proportion.

Beneath the estate’s vineyards, deep gravel soils define the wine long before it reaches the cellar. In 2018, that geology found eloquent expression. The Cabernet-led blend carries the unmistakable signature of the Médoc: firm architecture first, perfume rising gradually behind it, longevity always implied.

What ultimately sets the 2018 apart is its texture. The tannins are finely structured yet composed. Aged in 60% new French oak, the élevage brings polish and depth, reinforcing the wine’s frame rather than embellishing it. The finish is long and mineral, steady and assured, leaving a lasting impression of Margaux rendered with both conviction and balance.

Château Cantenac Brown
Margaux 2018
Grand Cru Classé 1855
Bordeaux, France

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“The 2018 Cantenac Brown is fabulous. Dark rich and expansive, the 2018 wraps around the palate with stunning depth. Dark red/black fruit, iron, cedar, chocolate, dried herbs and a whole range of earthy notes are pushed forward as this ample Margaux shows off its considerable allure. The 2018 is a big, rich wine. Give it at least a few years to fully come together.”

95 Points

2018 Vina Pomal Organic Reserva Rioja Spain

2018 Vina Pomal Organic Reserva Rioja Spain

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtRiojaSpainTempranillo

Viña Pomal

Organic Reserva
Rioja, Spain 2018

2018 Vina Pomal Organic Reserva Rioja Spain

Rooted in Haro, one of Rioja’s most historically charged enclaves, Bodegas Bilbaínas’s Viña Pomal speaks with the authority of place. Founded in 1901, the estate is Rioja’s longest-standing bottling winery, its extensive estate vineyards forming the backbone of a house style guided by continuity rather than reinvention. This classic Rioja Alta subtly resets expectations for what a traditionally framed Reserva can deliver at this level.

The 2018 vintage is built entirely on Tempranillo, a focused expression that allows variety and zone to emerge without dilution. Sourced from certified organic vineyards, the wine favors equilibrium, emphasizing freshness, structure, and natural balance. In a Reserva category often shaped by blending, this purity feels deliberate, sharpening the wine’s connection to place.

In the cellar, tradition completes the picture. A long maceration builds depth and structure before the wine is raised for eighteen months in American oak, a hallmark of classical Rioja élevage. The result is a Reserva defined by polish and drinkability, where savory nuance, measured oak, and fresh fruit move in alignment.

Viña Pomal
Organic Reserva
Rioja, Spain 2018

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“All Tempranillo, the 2018 Vina Pomal Reserva is a medium-bodied red aged 18 months in American oak and 18 months more in bottle. Smooth, supple tannins provide a rounded richness of red fruit and a hint of citrus, with light spice, anise, and woody undertones. It has the classic element of balsamic that floats between aromas of violet and vanilla. Drink now through 2030.”

92 Points

2018 Morlet Cabernet Sauvignon Le Petits Morlet Oakville

2018 Morlet Cabernet Sauvignon Le Petits Morlet Oakville

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSA

Morlet

Cabernet Sauvignon
Le Petits Morlet
Oakville 2018

2018 Morlet Cabernet Sauvignon Le Petits Morlet Oakville

Few winemakers bridge the traditions of Bordeaux and the vitality of Napa as effortlessly as Luc Morlet. The 2018 “Les Petits Morlet” embodies that balance, uniting Old World refinement with New World energy. Drawn from his Oakville Estate, just south of Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard, it reflects heritage, ambition, and a vision honed over decades.

From the younger vines of Morlet’s Coeur de Vallée Vineyard, this Cabernet channels the pulse of Oakville with remarkable purity while carrying the unmistakable signature of its lineage. Every facet of its creation bears the mark of Morlet’s meticulous craftsmanship, from the precision of harvest to the quiet patience of aging. The result is harmony in motion, a portrait of a vineyard rendered in balance and grace.

Sixteen months of élevage in French oak have refined the 2018 “Les Petits Morlet” into something both vibrant and composed. Guided by native fermentations, restrained new oak, and a philosophy of minimal intervention, Luc Morlet allows the vineyard’s voice to ring clear and true. The wine resonates with clarity and confidence, unfolding in layers of dark fruit, subtle spice, and polished tannin to reveal a Cabernet of authenticity and soul.

Morlet
Cabernet Sauvignon
Le Petits Morlet
Oakville 2018

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“The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Les Petits Morlet is a delightful wine from Luc and Jodie Morlet. Soft, open-knit and so inviting, the 2018 is beautifully done. It captures all the house signatures, but in an accessible style, making it easy to drink and enjoy right now. Succulent dark cherry, raspberry, mocha, spice and licorice linger on the long, understated finish. This is an absolutely gorgeous second wine. Most of the fruit is from the Morlets vineyard in Oakville, with some fruit from their sites in St. Helena and Knights Valley.”

93 Points

2018 Laird Malbec Flat Rock Vineyard Napa Valley

2018 Laird Malbec Flat Rock Vineyard Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtMalbecNapaUSAYountville

Laird

Malbec 2018
Flat Rock Vineyard
Napa Valley

2018 Laird Malbec Flat Rock Vineyard Napa Valley

A showstopper at our recent tasting, Laird’s 2018 Flat Rock Vineyard Malbec captures the rare moment when power and precision meet in perfect harmony. Drawn from the volcanic soils of Yountville’s eastern edge, this wine channels its pristine origins. It’s a wine that reflects not only the essence of place but also the discipline of a family that’s been perfecting the art of balance for generations.

From vineyard to cellar, every step of this wine’s creation reflects intent. The fruit was harvested at optimal ripeness, then aged for 21 months in French oak. What emerges is Malbec reimagined through a Napa lens: concentrated and full-bodied, yet balanced by refinement and lift. It’s the kind of craftsmanship that transforms a varietal curiosity into something enduring.

Now fully realized after five years in bottle, the 2018 Flat Rock Vineyard Malbec shows the seamless integration of time and terroir. The structure is commanding, yet the fruit remains luminous and pure, framed by fine French oak and a finish that lingers with mineral precision. Every element is in perfect balance, as if the wine has settled into its natural rhythm after years of quiet evolution.

Laird
Malbec 2018
Flat Rock Vineyard
Napa Valley
Retails at: $65

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“The 2018 Laird Flat Rock Ranch Malbec from Napa Valley is a beautiful domestic Malbec, showing excellent concentration and balance. The nose reveals aromas of wild berry cobbler, English rose petals, Chambord liqueur, and dried herbs. On the palate, it delivers juicy, sweet black raspberries and cassis, supported by satiny tannins and black tea on the back-end. The finish is long and mouth-quenching, with bright acidity. The intense fruit and balanced structure will allow this wine to evolve well over the next decade, though it’s approachable now.”

94 points

2018 Leto Exceptional Selection Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena

2018 Leto Exceptional Selection Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaSt. HelenaUSA

Leto

Exceptional Selection
Cabernet Sauvignon
Saint Helena 2018

2018 Leto Exceptional Selection Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena

Some of Napa’s most extraordinary wines are born far from the spotlight. The 2018 Leto Exceptional Selection Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a small, unassuming vineyard on Pratt Avenue in St. Helena, where half-century-old vines yield fruit of remarkable depth. This is not a wine made for acclaim, but for integrity: a deeply personal statement from a veteran winemaker who understands that restraint, time, and patience reveal more than ambition ever could.

From these weathered vines comes fruit that speaks in fine detail rather than volume. The 2018 vintage captures St. Helena’s subtle contrasts of warm valley-floor ripeness layered over cool evening structure. Twenty-one months in French oak added definition, not disguise. It’s a Cabernet that feels sculpted by nature, not built by human hands.

After years of quiet rest, the 2018 Exceptional Selection feels perfectly composed, its elements aligned. The fruit hums with energy, the tannins have softened into velvet, and the finish stretches on with calm assurance. It’s a rare opportunity to experience a wine not just at its peak but in its prime.

Leto
Exceptional Selection
Cabernet Sauvignon
Saint Helena 2018
Retails at: $125

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“The Leto 2018 Exceptional Selection Cabernet Sauvignon shines with opulence and elegance, beginning with aromas of blooming lavender, blackberries, plums, dark chocolate, cloves, cedar, and sage. On the palate, the wine has concentrated flavors with depth and length, ranging from fresh black fruits, flourless dark chocolate cake, savory notes, allspice, and graphite. The finish is long and seamless, and the wine is stunning at the present moment and shows indications of a wine capable of extended aging in the cellar.” 

97 Points

2018 Campinovi Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany Italy

2018 Campinovi Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany Italy

with No Comment $30-$40BrunelloBrunelloItalyKevin VogtTuscany

Campinovi

Brunello di Montalcino
Tuscany, Italy 2018

2018 Campinovi Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany Italy

Campinovi’s 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is a remarkable discovery—a quintessential Brunello presented at an unexpectedly inviting price.

Born from vineyards kissed by Tuscan sun and anchored in Montalcino’s renowned galestro soils, this wine speaks vividly of its distinguished origins, revealing clarity, strength, vitality, and a deep connection to its terroir.

Masterfully fashioned from the treasured Sangiovese Grosso clone, known for its robust skins and vivid intensity, the wine benefits from a deliberate aging process exceeding two years in oak barrels. This thoughtful maturation refines its inherent vigor into a sophisticated blend of flavors, unfolding in a harmonious cascade that resonates long after the first sip.

More than just an affordable indulgence, Campinovi’s Brunello pays elegant tribute to Montalcino’s winemaking heritage—its artistry, commitment, and enduring traditions—while priced as though you’ve stepped back fifteen years in time.

Campinovi
Brunello di Montalcino
Tuscany, Italy 2018

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“The Campinovi 2018 Brunello di Montalcino opens with a lifted and perfumed bouquet of violets, dried black tea leaves, red and black cherries, boysenberries, savory spices, and a rocky minerality with hints of petrichor. On the palate, wine is elegant, with complex flavors ranging from dried herbs, peppercorns, cherries, blackberries, and truffles. The wine’s structure is refined and graceful with refreshing acidity, and the finish lingers with a subtle earthy complexity drinking well now with the potential to evolve gracefully for several years.”

94 Points

2018 Figli Luigi Oddero Convento Barolo Piedmont Italy

2018 Figli Luigi Oddero Convento Barolo Piedmont Italy

with No Comment $40-$50BaroloBaroloItalyKevin VogtPiedmont

Figli Luigi Oddero

Convento Barolo
Piedmont, Italy 2018

2018 Figli Luigi Oddero Convento Barolo Piedmont Italy

Convento Barolo intertwines the rich legacy of tradition with the profound influence of its terroir, yielding a wine that blends Barolo’s innate nobility with a remarkable value rarely encountered in bottles of this stature. Crafted under the expert guidance of Dante Scaglioni—whose 25 years as winemaker shaped the illustrious Bruno Giacosa wines—this creation draws from a deep well of heritage and masterful artistry.

Barolo has long been revered as the “King of Wines and the Wine of Kings,” a distinction earned through its commanding structure, vibrant acidity, and firm tannins, which ensure a graceful evolution over decades. The 2018 Convento Barolo upholds this heritage with distinction. Its complexity unfurls in layers of dark cherry, crushed violets, and the earthy aroma of forest floor, interwoven with subtle hints of anise, leather, and a hint of truffle.

Figli Luigi Oddero is more than a winery; it is a custodian of Piemonte’s past and a beacon for its future. Since the early 1800s, the family has tended the land that would come to shape Barolo’s very identity. Drawn primarily from La Morra, one of the region’s most celebrated terroirs, the 2018 Convento Barolo achieves a rare balance of lineage, craftsmanship, and accessibility. Priced under $50, it offers an effortless opportunity to enjoy one of Italy’s most treasured wines with confidence.

Figli Luigi Oddero
Convento Barolo
Piedmont, Italy 2018

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“The Figli Luigi Oddero 2018 Barolo “Convento” opens with inviting aromas of dried rose petals, red cherries, and ripe strawberries, with hints of licorice, tar, and dried herbs. On the palate, flavors of black tea, leather, and sweet spices emerge alongside subtle earthy undertones. The wine is vibrant and structured, with firm, refined tannins and a lively acidity that carries through the finish. While already approachable, this wine will continue to develop over the next decade or more.”

94 Points

2018 The Grade Cabernet Sauvignon Winfield Vineyard Calistoga

2018 The Grade Cabernet Sauvignon Winfield Vineyard Calistoga

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonCalistogaKevin VogtNapaUSA

The Grade

Cabernet Sauvignon
Winfield Vineyard
Calistoga 2018

2018 The Grade Cabernet Sauvignon Winfield Vineyard Calistoga

The Grade’s 2018 Winfield Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon epitomizes power and grace, with legendary winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown’s masterful touch evident in every sip. Crowned as my top wine of 2024, this Cabernet marries concentrated, expressive fruit with an impeccable structure, delivering a wine that captivates and enchants. 

With a legacy that includes authoring dozens of 100-point wines—among them Wine Spectator’s #1 Wine of 2022—Thomas Rivers Brown brings unparalleled expertise to The Grade. This wine offers an extraordinary opportunity to experience the height of Napa Valley winemaking, all without the steep price tag often associated with such pedegree.

Sourced from the 32-acre Winfield Vineyard, nestled along the historic Old Toll Road north of Calistoga, this Cabernet benefits from the ideal terroir. The 2018 vintage is a pinnacle expression of Winfield Vineyard’s potential. A flagship blend drawn from three exceptional blocks, this Cabernet offers profound depth and vibrant fruit. It’s a testament to the extraordinary quality and exceptional value that Napa Valley has to offer. 

The Grade

Cabernet Sauvignon
Winfield Vineyard
Calistoga 2018
Retails at: $120

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“The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Winfield Vineyard is an absolutely gorgeous wine that conveys a striking interplay of richness, power and nuance. Silky and restrained for this site, the Winfield offers up a compelling melange of red fruit, iron, cedar, tobacco, rose petal and dried herbs, all in a mid-weight style that is incredibly appealing. The Winfield is a selection taken from Blocks 1, 4 and 5.”

94 Points

2018 Sequum Cabernet Sauvignon Kidd Ranch Vineyard Napa Valley

2018 Sequum Cabernet Sauvignon Kidd Ranch Vineyard Napa Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaSaint HelenaUSA

SEQUUM

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
KIDD RANCH VINEYARD
NAPA VALLEY 2018

2018 Sequum Cabernet Sauvignon Kidd Ranch Vineyard Napa Valley
Sequum is a boutique winery based in Saint Helena, led by Paul Skinner, who combines his Ph.D. in viticulture and soil science with his deep connections in the wine industry to create balanced wines with a powerful sense of place. 
 
Paul spent two decades consulting for premium vineyards before starting his winery in 2003, which is now blended and bottled at Pride Mountain Vineyards.
 
The cooler 2018 growing season is known for producing red wines with elegance, and this Cabernet Sauvignon is nuanced and sophisticated while exhibiting power and depth throughout the finish. It promises a divine wine-drinking experience and has many years of cellaring potential.
 
SEQUUM
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
KIDD RANCH VINEYARD
NAPA VALLEY 2018
Retails at: $75
 
 
 
“The Sequum Kidd Ranch Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 begins with an intense nose of black currants, Italian glove leather, baking spices, milk chocolate, Kalamata olives, and French lavender. The rich palate continues with ripe red and black plums and tart red cherries, combining a complex savory note with sweet vanilla spice. It has an outstanding balance of rich, ripe black fruits intermixed with tart, bright red fruits, intertwined in a way where the red fruits lift the heavier dark fruits to create a wine with impeccable power, elegance, grace, liveliness, and length. Congratulations to Paul Skinner and his team for making another beautiful vintage of this wine.”
95 Points