Subscribe to RSSWe have reached the mid-way point of our survey through California Bordeaux. Thus, we stop in the Napa Valley, which of course, is the centerpiece for many discussions on the Bordeaux grape varieties grown in the state since the area is widely renowned as the premier growing region for the Bordeaux grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon in particular.
Rutherford AVA within the Napa Valley AVA. Photo by Jason Tinacci
Our exploration only reaffirmed that sentiment. The quality of the submissions we received, with Cabernet Sauvignon leading the way, absolutely lived up to the Napa Valley’s reputation for excellence. We also discovered some lovely Bordeaux-style blends and a very nice Petit Vedot. That said, the high-quality comes with a price, with nearly every wine falling between $50 and $100. Still, for a special occasion or if you’re one of those lucky 1% everyone keeps talking about, there is no shortage of superb bottles to choose from.
Alpha Omega Winery 2009 Proprietary Red Wine
Grape(s): 37% Merlot, 34% Cabernet, 16% Cabernet Franc, 13% Petit Verdot
Region: Napa Valley
Price: 85-90
Review:
Aromatics of black cherry, plum, and raspberry meld with notes of dark chocolate, pepper, and oak on the nose. Flavors of raspberry, plum, blackberries, and currants mingle with suggestions of chocolate, spice, and minerals on the palate. A smooth, bright red with layers of flavors, fans of complex, effervescent blends must try this wine.
Rating: 93
Alpha Omega Winery 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon 75% Merlot 10% Cabernet Franc 7% Petit Verdot
Region: Napa Valley
Price: 85-90
Review:
A bouquet of blackberries, cherries, cassis, and chocolate greets the senses. A sip delivers flavors of blackberry, blueberry, and cherry with accents of sweet spice, cedar, and dark chocolate. A rich, elegant, layered wine, with balanced tannins and acidity, Cab lovers everywhere will rejoice over this bottle.
Rating: 95
Freemark Abbey 2005 Sycamore Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Grape(s): 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc
Region: Napa Valley
Price: 95-100
Review:
Aromas of raspberries, cherries, and boysenberries mingle with hints of clove and spicy oak on the nose. A sip delivers flavors of lively red berries accented by suggestions of all-spice, cocoa, and cedar. A smooth Cab with lively fruit flavors, fans of bright yet elegant reds will enjoy this bottle.
Rating: 93
Freemark Abbey 2005 Cabernet Bosche
Grape(s): 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot
Region: Napa Valley
Price: 95-100
Review:
Aromatics of cherries, blackberries, and currants meld with suggestions of dark chocolate, sweet spice, and cedar on nose. The palate reveals flavors of cherry, cassis, and plum rounded out by notes of smokey oak, cinnamon, and herbaceous hints. A lighter, layered red with plush tannins and friendly acidity, fans of more lively Cabs will enjoy this wine.
Rating: 92
McGah Family Cellars 2009 “Scarlett” Cabernet Sauvignon
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Napa Valley
Price: 50-55
Review:
Aromatics of currants, blackberries, and cherries along with suggestions of sweet spice, licorice, and oak rise up from a glass. The palate offers flavors of blackberry and cherry accented by notes of anise, dusty cocoa, and cedar. A rich, concentrated red with supple tannins, fans of classic Rutherford Cabernet will enjoy this bottle very much.
Rating: 91
McGah Family Cellars 2009 “1070 Green” Sauvignon Blanc
Grape(s): 91% Sauvignon Blanc, 9% Semillon
Region: Napa Valley
Price: 25-30
Review:
Aromas of lemon, lime, and gooseberry combine with notes of honey and minerals on the nose. Flavors of citrus fruits and gooseberry are accented by suggestions of spice and minerals on the palate. A lively wine with a crisp acidity balanced by a slightly creamy mouthfeel, fans of bright, refreshing whites ought to give this bottle a try. 541 cases produced.
Rating: 89
Peju 2008 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Napa Valley
Price: 100-105
Review:
Blackberry, currant, and plum aromas meld with notes of dark chocolate, cedar, and earth on the nose. A sip reveals flavors of cherries, blackberries, and raspberries with accents of chocolate, sweet-smokey spice, and minerals. A lush, delectable Cab, fans of balanced reds will enjoy this wine very much. 550 cases produced.
Rating: 91
Pina 2009 Firehouse Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Napa Valley
Price: 80-85
Review:
A bouquet of bramble fruit, currants, earth, and cedar greets the senses. The palate delivers flavors of blackberry and cassis that are rounded out by suggestions of oak, dusty earth, and spice. A fairly robust Cab, with plentiful tannins, fans of rich, hearty red should enjoy this bottle now, but it really should be given some time to age to reach its true potential. 332 cases produced.
Rating: 89+
Raymond Vineyards 2008 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Napa Valley
Price: 75-80
Review:
A bouquet of blackberries, blueberries, currants, and sweet spice rises up from a glass. Flavors of blackberry, cassis, and plum drift over the palate along with accents of clove, oak, and dark chocolate. A dark, rich wine with supple tannins, fans of approachable Cabs should try this bottle. 600 cases produced.
Rating: 89
Raymond Vineyards 2008 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Napa Valley
Price: 75-80
Review:
Aromas of cherries, plums, and red currants meld with suggestions of coffee, dark chocolate, and cedar. A sip delivers flavors of bing cherry, raspberry, and plum that flow into notes of herbs, oak, and coffee. A smooth Cab offering lots of red fruit and layers, fans of elegant reds will enjoy this wine. Just 178 cases produced.
Rating: 91
Raymond Vineyards 2008 St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Napa Valley
Price: 75-80
Review:
Aromatics of bramble fruit and black cherry accented by smokey oak and dark chocolate rise up from a glass. Blackberry and cherry flavors meld with cedar, spice, and dusty cocoa on the palate. A concentrated red offering a rich structure, fans of supple Cabernets will enjoy this bottle. Just under 600 cases produced.
Rating: 91
Raymond Vineyards 2008 Generations Cabernet Sauvignon
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Napa Valley
Price: 95-100
Review:
A nose of currants, blackberries, and cherries with accents of cinnamon and dark chocolate greets the senses. With a sip, blackberry, cherry, and cassis flavors unfold into notes of chocolate, cedar, and sweet spice. An elegant, layered wine, fans of classically structured, complex Cabs must try this wine. 1,100 cases were produced.
Rating: 94
Round Pond Winery 2009 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon
Grape(s): 94% Cabernet, 5% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec
Region: Napa Valley
Price: 45-50
Review:
Floral and herbaceous aromas mingle with suggestions of cherries, plums, and blackberries on the nose. The palate delivers flavors of black cherry, boysenberry, and plum rounded out by notes of dark chocolate, creamy oak, and herbs. A supple wine, with rich tannins, fans of more robust, layered Cabs with a slight earthy accent will enjoy this bottle.
Rating: 90
Round Pond Winery 2010 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Napa Valley
Price: 25-30
Review:
A bouquet of cherry, currants, and herbaceous suggestions greets the senses. A sip reveals flavors of cherries and cassis with accents of herbs, sweet spice, and dusty cocoa. A fairly bright Cab with medium tannins, fans of lively fruit and a dusty finish should try this bottle.
Rating: 88
Scheid Vineyards 2007 Petit Verdot
Grape(s): 98% Petit Verdot and 2% Caberenet
Region: Napa Valley
Price: 50-55
Review:
Aromas of blueberries and blackberries mingle with suggestions of earth and spice rise on the nose. A sip delivers blackberry, dark pomegranate, and plum flavors with earthy, spicy, and floral accents. A rich, dark wine that’s smooth on the palate and slightly dusty at the finish. Enjoy it with food or let it breath for a bit. Just 210 cases produced.
Rating: 90
Sullivan Vineyards 2008 Coeur De Vigne
Grape(s): 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot
Region: Napa Valley
Price: 95-100
Review:
Aromatics of cherries, blackberries, and blueberries mingle with hints of cedar, sweet spice, and mocha on the nose. Flavors of cherry, plum, and blackberry come together with suggestions of chocolate, smoky oak, and dusty earth on the palate. A smooth, layered wine with plush tannins fans of rich, red blends must try this bottle.
Rating: 93
