Wine Spectator (94)

'#1 in Wine Spectator Top 100 2022' - Packs in generous steeped plum, boysenberry and mulberry flavors backed by a broad swath of roasted alder and bittersweet cocoa. Brimming with dense fruit, and is squarely in the not-shy style. The long finish has a serious loamy tug, too. Best from 2023 through 2035. 10,000 cases made.

Behold the distinctive Schrader WH Wappo Hill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, a choice concoction from the esteemed house of Schrader. Sourced from the hillock vineyard of Wappo Hill, located in the Stag's Leap District in Napa Valley, this Cabernet Sauvignon is a prime example of fine viticulture practice. Each cluster is meticulously hand-picked and fermented in separate lots, ensuring maximum fruit expression and quality. It resonates with aromatic intensity, deep, layered flavours and supple tannins.

Fred Schrader, renowned for producing benchmark wines, bestows upon us a salient representation of Californian Cabernet Sauvignon. This 2019 vintage, with its brilliant ruby hue, exudes scents of ripe blackberry, hints of black cherry, and a whisper of savoury baking spices. On the palate, it delivers an astounding balance between fruit opulence and structural precision. A genuinely elegant creation unravelling the unique terroir qualities of the Wappo Hill Vineyard. Discover the Schrader WH Wappo Hill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 – a true testament to fine wine craftsmanship.

Vinous (100)

The 2019 Screaming Eagle is a wine of mind-blowing elegance and finesse that stand apart from the generally more potent style of so many wines in this vintage. Deep, sensual and beautifully layered, the 2019 is simply magnificent from the very first taste. A whole range of red/purplish fruit, spice, leather, dried herb and blood orange accents give the 2019 its vivid, wonderfully detailed personality. Because of its price, both on release and in the secondary market, Screaming Eagle is the most talked about wine in Napa Valley. It is hype or not? All I can say is that I was very fortunate to drink a number of older vintages during lockdown and all those wines lived up to their reputations.

Vinous (100)

The 2019 Screaming Eagle is a wine of mind-blowing elegance and finesse that stand apart from the generally more potent style of so many wines in this vintage. Deep, sensual and beautifully layered, the 2019 is simply magnificent from the very first taste. A whole range of red/purplish fruit, spice, leather, dried herb and blood orange accents give the 2019 its vivid, wonderfully detailed personality. Because of its price, both on release and in the secondary market, Screaming Eagle is the most talked about wine in Napa Valley. It is hype or not? All I can say is that I was very fortunate to drink a number of older vintages during lockdown and all those wines lived up to their reputations.

James Suckling (99)

Extremely floral and aromatic with violets and lavender throughout. Black olives, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, very fine-grained tannins that run the length of the wine. Goes on for minutes. A greenish undertone comes out at the end with some spearmint, green tea and green olive. About two-thirds merlot. Best after 2028, but already stunning.

Treat your palate to the rich exquisiteness of the Sequoia Grove Cabernet Sauvignon 2019. This premium wine hails from the esteemed Napa Valley, a region celebrated worldwide for its viticulture magnificence. The Sequoia Grove, a family-owned, small-lot vineyard, meticulously cultivates their vines to yield only top-tier grapes, employing a balanced approach of traditional and innovative techniques.

Distinguished for its unparalleled complexity and finesse, the Sequoia Grove Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 reveals sophisticated layers of dark fruits, spice and mocha, nested in well-integrated oak and smooth tannins. It captures the essence of the vintage year's unique character, offering balance and vibrancy in every single sip, and finishes with an impressive length.

This seductive wine, crafted under the mastery of winemaker Molly Hill, stands as a shining example of Napa Valley's Cabernet Sauvignon, effortlessly merging tradition, expertise and the gift of terroir. Savour the Sequoia Grove Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 - a true masterpiece in a bottle.

Jeb Dunnuck (94-96)

I've always loved the Chardonnay from this team, and their 2019 Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch has that classic richer, full-bodied style while staying balanced and light on its feet. Buttered lemons, tangerines, green almond, and toasty notes all make an appearance, and it's incredibly textured, with nicely integrated acidity and one heck of a finish. This powerful Chardonnay is going to impress right out of the gate.

Crafted meticulously in California's Belmont County, the Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is a prime representation of the exceptional winemaking of the esteemed producer Silver Oak. Born in the heart of Alexander Valley, this wine is a beacon of elegance and opulence. It boasts full-bodied flavours, structured by rich, silky tannins and an engaging acidity that leaps forward from the first sip. Assembled principally from Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Merlot, this wine is aged for 24 months in American Oak barrels, ensuring a blend of complex, lingering aromas of red cherries, black currant, and spice.

The Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is highly prized for its well-balanced palate and vibrant character. Perfect as a partner to hearty red meats or savoured on its own, it is a classic expression of the finest California wine tradition.

Crafted meticulously in California's Belmont County, the Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is a prime representation of the exceptional winemaking of the esteemed producer Silver Oak. Born in the heart of Alexander Valley, this wine is a beacon of elegance and opulence. It boasts full-bodied flavours, structured by rich, silky tannins and an engaging acidity that leaps forward from the first sip. Assembled principally from Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Merlot, this wine is aged for 24 months in American Oak barrels, ensuring a blend of complex, lingering aromas of red cherries, black currant, and spice.

The Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is highly prized for its well-balanced palate and vibrant character. Perfect as a partner to hearty red meats or savoured on its own, it is a classic expression of the finest California wine tradition.

Introducing Silver Oak Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, one of the prominent agrarian treasures of Alexander Valley. Perfectly harmonised with a unique blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, accompanied by Merlot, Petit Verdot, and a trace of Cabernet Franc, this creation is a testimony to the artisanal craftsmanship of Silver Oak. The grapes undergo meticulous selection, with only the most robust clusters forming this stellar vintage.

Brimming with lush layers of blackcurrant, liquorice, and wild herbs, it unfurls to reveal an opulent mouthfeel marked by satiny tannins and a poignant finish. Aged for 24 months in American oak, it contributes deep-rooted flavours of vanilla and clove, rendering it a harmonious symphony of elegance and restraint.

By venerating tradition and sustainable practices, Silver Oak's commitment to the finest expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon is distinctly evident in this 2019 vintage. Every sip is sure to invigorate your palate with its enduring complexity and profound depth.

Introducing Silver Oak Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, one of the prominent agrarian treasures of Alexander Valley. Perfectly harmonised with a unique blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, accompanied by Merlot, Petit Verdot, and a trace of Cabernet Franc, this creation is a testimony to the artisanal craftsmanship of Silver Oak. The grapes undergo meticulous selection, with only the most robust clusters forming this stellar vintage.

Brimming with lush layers of blackcurrant, liquorice, and wild herbs, it unfurls to reveal an opulent mouthfeel marked by satiny tannins and a poignant finish. Aged for 24 months in American oak, it contributes deep-rooted flavours of vanilla and clove, rendering it a harmonious symphony of elegance and restraint.

By venerating tradition and sustainable practices, Silver Oak's commitment to the finest expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon is distinctly evident in this 2019 vintage. Every sip is sure to invigorate your palate with its enduring complexity and profound depth.

Wine Advocate (98)

The 2019 Grenache Distenta I is composed of 76% Grenache, 8% Mourvèdre, 9.3% Syrah, 4.3% Petite Sirah and 2.4% Viognier. The vineyard sources are 11% Cumulus Estate, 39% The Third Twin Estate, 32% Eleven Confessions Estate, 3% Molly Aida and 15% Bien Nacido vineyard. Around 43% whole cluster was performed, predominately on the Grenache. The small proportion of Viognier was co-fermented with red grapes, but interestingly, because it ripens earlier than the reds, the white berries were frozen and added to the reds at the time of fermentation. As an added bonus, these frozen grapes help to cool and, therefore, slow the fermentation. The wine was aged for around 23 months in 26.5% new French oak, 66.7% used oak and 6.8% concrete. It was bottled June 21, 2021.

Wine Advocate (100)

The 2019 Syrah Distenta I is composed of 83.6% Syrah, 3% Mourvedre, 5.2% Petite Sirah, 6.2% Grenache, 1.4% Muscat and 0.6% Petit Manseng. “I think Muscat is the number-one white grape for me to blend with reds,” Manfred told me last year. “It kinda triples the effect of the wine.” The red winemaking included 33% whole cluster. The vineyard sources for this wine are 35% The Third Twin, 33% Eleven Confessions, 31% Cumulus and 1% Molly Aida—all estate-owned vineyards. This wine was bottled at the end of July 2021, after 23 months in French oak, 43% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it erupts from the glass with a powerfully fragrant nose of red roses, Morello cherries, boysenberries and juicy blueberries, followed by hints of mocha, star anise, cardamom and cassia. The concentrated, full-bodied palate is jam-packed with bright, crunchy black, blue and red fruits. It has a rock-solid structure of firm, finely-grained tannins and seamless freshness lifting the shimmering layers to a long, energetic finish. The complexity and vivacity of this Syrah are simply jaw-dropping!

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

Starting with the white, the 2019 Distenta I White is pure perfection, and there's not a finer white coming out of California today. Coming from a final blend of 41% Roussanne, 26% Chardonnay, 14% Petit Manseng, 12% Viognier, and the rest Gelber Muskateller, it spent 23 months in 64% new French oak. It offers a heavenly bouquet of caramelized oranges, toasted bread, honeyed citrus, and almond paste. This carries to a full-bodied, deep, concentrated white with incredible intensity and depth, yet it’s never heavy or overbearing and is flawlessly balanced. These have a great track record of aging brilliantly, but you can’t go wrong drinking them in their youth, either. I know Krankl’s reds get all the attention, but he continues to produce brilliant, brilliant dry whites. There were 824 cases produced.

The Wine Independent (100)

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, with 6.5% Cabernet Franc and 4.0% Petit Verdot in the blend, is deep garnet-purple in color. It explodes with vibrant notes of fresh blueberries, creme de cassis, and chocolate-covered cherries, with hints of cedar, cinnamon stick, and smoked meats. The medium to full-bodied palate is laden with bright black and blue fruits, supported by a seamless frame of firm and grainy tannins with refreshing acidity and an epically long, wonderfully pure finish.

Wine Advocate (93)

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Lyndenhurst is composed of 77.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.4% Cabernet Franc, 4.1% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot and 3.8% Malbec. Deep garnet-purple in color, it skips out of the glass with lively blueberries, redcurrants and kirsch scents, plus hints of cedar chest, fragrant earth and rose hip tea. Medium-bodied, elegant and lively in the mouth, the palate is chock-full of bright and crunchy red and black fruits, finishing long and earthy.

Vinous (95)

The 2019 Chardonnay Estate is superb. Deep and beautifully layered, the 2019 offers up a striking mélange of tangerine peel, passion fruit, pineapple, white flowers and a kiss of French oak, all kicked up in a racy, voluptuous Chardonnay that is immensely captivating. Even with all of its intensity, the 2019 retains gorgeous freshness and tons of nuance. Once again, the Chardonnay is beautifully done.

Vinous (96+)

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is a rich, heady wine that is going to need a number of years to shed its baby fat and come into its own. Dark and vertical in feel, the 2019 possesses tremendous energy as well as power. Black cherry, chocolate, new leather, licorice, espresso and cloves build into the huge, resonant finish. The 2019 spent 22 months in barrel, 80% new. I would not dream of touching a bottle anytime soon.

James Suckling (97)

This is a fantastic chardonnay with sliced green-apple, cooked-apple, nougat and slate aromas. Some dried chili, too. Medium-bodied palate that grows full and tangy, with a vibrant finish of candied lemons and sliced limes. Salty and intense. Unique. Drink or hold.

James Suckling (94)

This has lots of verve and brightness, with sliced green apple and pear, as well as matchstick. It’s medium-bodied with tangy acidity. Creamy texture and an intense finish. Drink now.