Vinous (98)

A rush of dark cherry, plum, new leather, cedar, coffee, graphite, lavender and menthol makes a strong opening impression in the 2009 Thorevilos. Powerful, dense and explosive, Thorevilos is the one 2009 in this range I would continue to cellar another few years. It is utterly magnificent today, but still has room to blossom. As always, Thorevilos is distinguished by its structure, depth of expression and overall intensity, all signatures of this evocative vineyard located at the end of Mund Road just outside of St. Helena.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

Arietta's 2011 Red Wine H Block is bright, focused and energetic, with beams of salinity that provide support. Sweet red cherry, blood orange, mint, pomegranate and star anise give the 2011 an intriguing, exotic character. The 2011 has enough acidity and structure to age gracefully for a number of years. This is another strong 2011 from Arietta.

Vinous (93)

(an 85/15 blend of sauvignon blanc and semillon): Bright, green-tinged yellow. Lovely perfume combines pungent lime skin, stone fruits, lemon drop and essential oils. Dense, sappy and opulent yet somehow weightless, conveying a powerful impression of energy to the flavors of nectarine, lime oil and honey. The semillon contributes roundness. Finishes sexy and long, in need of a year or so in bottle to develop more complexity. Always a splendid blend.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)

The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Dr. Crane Vineyard from Bernard Magrez is another impressive wine for the year. Long, persistent and intense, the 2011 stands out for its focus and energy. Dark cherry, plum, smoke, sweet French oak and leather flow through to the layered, finish. The sweet, floral notes so typical of the 337 Cabernet clone present in Dr. Crane ring out on the finish.

The Bernard Magrez Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2015 embodies the epitome of fine winemaking. Master blender Bernard Magrez, a renowned figure in the wine industry, meticulously crafts this tantalising libation in the world-famous terroir of Napa Valley, California. Renowned for its lush vineyards, the valley provides the optimum conditions for cultivating Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.

The wine sits in French oak barrels, enhancing the biology and structure of this blend, then it's bottled unfiltered. Deep burgundy in colour, the Bernard Magrez Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2015 greets the senses with rich scents of cassis, truffle, and spice. It graces the palate with robust flavours of ripe blackberries, dark cherries and a sprinkle of pepper. The finish is long, delivering hints of chocolate and soft tannins.

This Cabernet Sauvignon is an unforgettable expression of the poetic symbiosis between soil, climate, and winemaker's craft.

Wine Advocate (100)

I have consumed several bottles of the 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Pritchard Hill. One of the most awesome young reds I have ever tasted, it possesses a black/purple color, a seamless texture, and freakishly high levels of intensity (cassis, black and blueberries infused with espresso, chocolate, and licorice) that are flawlessly presented in a full-bodied, massive yet elegant wine. Nothing is out of balance in this explosively rich, thick, highly-extracted Cabernet. A compelling, historic Cabernet Sauvignon, it will drink well for 30-35 years.

Vinous (91)

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic Cliff Lede wine with rich fruit, tons of intensity and plenty of medium-term appeal. Savory notes add an attractive upper register, but the tannins are a touch firm, so readers will be best off cellaring the 2014 for at least a few years. This is a solid mid-tier offering from Cliff Lede.

Vinous (98+)

The highlight among these 2015s, the Cariad is a total knock-out. Dark, vibrant and powerful in the glass, the 2015 offers notable energy to balance the bold flavors of the year. In this vintage, the Cariad has quite a bit more Franc than is typically the case, a decision that has paid off beautifully. I very much like the sense of energy here.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

An absolute beast of a wine, the 2013 Ix Estate checks in as a mix of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot that’s all from the estate located at the top of Pritchard Hill. Still a primordial wine that reminds me of a barrel sample, its vivid, saturated purple color is followed by an incredible bouquet of black and blue fruits, graphite, spring flowers, and scorched earth. With a deep, full-bodied, massive mid-palate, background oak, and beautiful purity and freshness, it’s a tour de force and may be the most massive yet perfectly balanced wine I’ve ever tasted. It’s incredible today in an academic sort of way, but it won’t start to hit maturity for at least another decade. Hats off to superstar winemaker Allison Tauziet who, in this critic’s opinion, fashions some of the most profound and captivating wines on the planet!

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

Lastly, the 2016 Syrah IX Estate reminds me of the otherworldly 2010 and is as profound as Syrah gets. Tasting like Guigal’s Côte Rôtie La Mouline (maybe on steroids) with its huge notes of bacon fat, spring flowers, blue fruits, barbecued meats, and incense, it’s full-bodied and massive yet also thrillingly pure, seamless, elegant, and weightless. It’s certainly approachable today yet is going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and keep for two decades.

Wine Advocate (97+)

A blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 9% Petit Verdot and 9% Merlot, the deep garnet-purple 2017 Proprietary Red soars out of the glass with notions of baked blueberries, plum preserves and blackcurrant cordial, backed up by nuances of chocolate mint, wild sage, violets and pencil shavings, plus an earthy hint of Chinese five spice. The rich, seductive, full-bodied palate is jam-packed with spicy black fruit preserves, framed by wonderfully plush tannins and a lively backbone, finishing long and opulent.

Vinous (90)

Moderately saturated ruby-red. High-pitched aromas of blueberry, licorice, chocolate, leather and smoky, cedary oak; slightly liqueur-like. Then supple and sweet in the mouth but a bit youthfully disjointed and not quite as fine-grained as the '04 version, which Corison notes was less affected by heat spikes. Finishes with firm, dusty tannins and notes of chocolate and leather.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (92-94)

Saturated ruby. Roasted black raspberry, maple syrup and shoe polish on the nose. Very smooth, rich and lush; amazingly full and long for the vintage. Tannins are substantial but even and sweet. Most Napa wineries couldn't produce a wine like this even in a great year.

Wine Advocate (96)

Espresso, mocha, dark red berries, rose petals and spices are some of the many notes that emerge from the 2008 Harlan Estate. The wine fleshes out beautifully in the glass as it shows off its class and true pedigree. This is a decidedly ripe, forward vintage, but in exchange the wine will drink well right out of the gate. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2028.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (95-98)

(picked during the first half of October): Good medium ruby. Smoky aromas of ripe plum, black raspberry and minerals. Plush, very fine-grained and sweet, with lively harmonious acidity giving outstanding lift to the dense yet juicy middle palate. This is barely 14% alcohol and shows near-perfect balance. It's sure to be one of the wines of the vintage and will merit a score toward the higher end of my projected range if it continues to put on weight in barrel.

James Suckling (98)

The pure fruit is incredible with a dark-fruit and blackberry character. Some sous bois but also shows clarity and finesse. Full body and super fine tannins. Tight and so pretty. A classy and fine Harlan. Needs four to five years to open up.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

Stunning on every level, the 2018 Proprietary Red Wine reveals a dense purple hue as well as an incredible bouquet of crème de cassis, graphite, crushed stone, iron, violets, and tobacco. Reminding me of a hypothetical blend of Ducru Beaucaillou and Pontet Canet from a great, classical vintage (or a more elegant version of the 2013 for simplicity), it's medium to full-bodied, perfectly balanced, powerful yet elegant, and has a finish that won't quit. This is pure gold in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s already drinkable yet will benefit from 4-6 years of bottle age and have 40 years of prime drinking.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

Stunning on every level, the 2018 Proprietary Red Wine reveals a dense purple hue as well as an incredible bouquet of crème de cassis, graphite, crushed stone, iron, violets, and tobacco. Reminding me of a hypothetical blend of Ducru Beaucaillou and Pontet Canet from a great, classical vintage (or a more elegant version of the 2013 for simplicity), it's medium to full-bodied, perfectly balanced, powerful yet elegant, and has a finish that won't quit. This is pure gold in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s already drinkable yet will benefit from 4-6 years of bottle age and have 40 years of prime drinking.

Delight in the exquisite Heitz Bella Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon 1977 - a definitive piece of Napa Valley's distinguished wine heritage. A symbol of elegance, this vintage offers a complex yet balanced palette, encapsulating the master craftsmanship of producer, Heitz Wine Cellars. Originating from the celebrated Bella Oaks vineyard in Rutherford Appellation, the wine is composed of expertly handpicked Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, indicative of the terroir's unique expression.

The wine is meticulously matured in French oak, enhancing the nuances of cassis, wild berry, and clove underlining the tasteful depth. Aged to perfection, this Cabernet Sauvignon occupies the higher hierarchy of wine offerings. Its vibrant acidity together with the softly integrated tannins reveals a decadent finish, demonstrating the meticulous attention bestowed upon its creation.

Heitz Bella Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon 1977 sets an illustrious standard of quality, admired and sipped by wine aficionados worldwide, undisputedly dignifying the Heitz Wine Cellars' legacy.

Vinous (94+)

Good deep ruby. Rich aromas of currant and graphite minerality. Lush, round and large-scaled, with strong rocky and mineral qualities adding interest to its very sexy flavors of black raspberry and spices. Dry, classic, powerful cabernet whose broad tannins are amazingly supple for Mount Veeder. Finishes subtle and extremely long. An excellent vintage for this bottling, which is from vines planted at 1,700 feet.

Vinous (98+)

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is just all goodness. Crème de cassis, lavender, graphite, cinnamon and licorice all grace this exquisite, wonderfully nuanced Cabernet Sauvignon. There is almost no sensation of tannin. The 2018 impresses with its magnificent purity and pedigree. Time brings out the wine's inherent gravitas and pure power. Readers who can find it are in for a treat!

Wine Advocate (97)

The 2012 Pinot Noir Marcassin Vineyard, which comes primarily from the Calera clone (although I suspect there are a few mystery clones in their plantings), always seems to remind me of a grand cru from Burgundy’s Côte de Nuits, particularly Morey-St.-Denis. Dense ruby/plum, its sweet nose of strawberries, black cherry liqueur, fresh porcini mushrooms and forest floor is followed by a dark, full-bodied, rich and concentrated wine that is supple, dramatic, and even flamboyant. Drink it over the next 12-15 years.

Vinous (88)

(12.5% alcohol; 16-1/2 days of skin contact): Dark medium red. Musky aromas of plum and leather. Boasts good energy and vinosity but only moderate flavor development, with the currant and leather flavors showing a strong green pepper element that suggests the vines were picked too early. Interestingly, Geneviève Janssens noted that through the '80s, the vineyard manager at Mondavi selected the date of the harvest and typically picked early. Since then, however, the winemakers have spent much more time in the vineyards and have been responsible for harvesting decisions.

Vinous (90)

The 1990 Opus One is another powerful wine built on a serious core of tannin and structure. There is plenty of richness in the glass, but a little less intensity and complexity than the best wines of this era. I imagine the 1990 will still be a delicious wine in another decade. The 1990 is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 3% Merlot.

Vinous (90)

A mélange of dark raspberries, menthol, savory herbs and anise jump from the glass in the 1992 Opus One. The aromas are a little more advanced than the fruit, but the 1992 still has plenty of depth, richness and pure sensuality. Readers may want to give the 1992 a year or two to see if the tannins have a little more sweetness to give. In 1992 the blend is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 3% Merlot.

Wine Advocate (94)

This is one of the finest Opus Ones to date, offering a dark ruby/purple color, as well as a striking, intense bouquet of sweet licorice intermixed with blackberries, cassis, plums, and saddle leather. This seamless, full-bodied wine is more velvety-textured, opulent, and succulent than past vintages. The mid-palate is expansive and chewy. The long finish is filled with glycerin, ripe fruit, and sweet tannin. Drink this impressive, user-friendly yet richly concentrated effort over the next 15 years. Tel. (707) 963-1979; Fax (707) 944-9357

James Suckling (95)

Sage and mint in the nose, it is Opus style. Full bodied and layered, with polished tannins and wonderful length. This is tight, but fascinating still. This wine has a good future, very juicy, and will only keep getting better. Don't touch this until 2014.