Big and Bold, these reds come from both new players
and established winemakers
Dana Estates "Helms Vineyard" Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Helms is Dana's home vineyard, off Whitehall Lane in the upper northwest corner of the Rutherford Bench. The Wine Advocate loved this Cabernet’s “gregarious nose of freshly crushed black currants, black berries and mulberries with touches of red roses, Indian spices, dried mint and unsmoked cigars. Medium-bodied, fine, fresh and elegantly styled, it delivers tons of black berry and spicy layers with a fine-grained backbone and very long, lively finish. Bottled in June 2017, 225 cases were made..” An extreme rarity for a handful of lucky collectors! (Bounty Hunter)
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyard has a gregarious nose of freshly crushed black currants, blackberries, and mulberries with touches of red roses, Indian spices, dried mint, and unsmoked cigars. Medium-bodied, fine, fresh, and elegantly styled, it delivers tons of blackberry and spicy layers with a fine-grained backbone and very long, lively finish. (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - 98+ points)
So much chocolate and hazelnut character with currant and berry undertones. Full body, dusty tannins and pretty, bright fruit. Tight, tannic tension and vivid, juicy fruit at the end. Drinkable now but better in 2022. (James Suckling - 97 Points)
Region: Napa Valley, California
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $599
Band of Vintners Consortium Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
The Consortium Cabernet exhibits a dark crimson core with purple and garnet reflections on the rim. Classic Napa Cabernet aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry liqueur, fresh boysenberry, and black cherry are infused with notes of wet violets, coffee, fresh leather, tobacco, and the ideal touch of high-quality vanilla bean and baking spices. The oak aromas impart just the right nuances and are perfectly integrated and balanced without being overbearing as many Napa examples often are. On the palate, the wine is medium-plus in body and captures pitch-perfect balance with the ideal freshness, soft, silky texture, and integrated, polished tannins that are wrapped around layered flavors of soft black fruit, leather, tobacco, cedar, cocoa, and subtle exotic spices. This incredibly young wine is already stunning in its youth but will be hitting a sweet spot as the weather cools in the next few months. Its peak should lie in the next 5-7 years although this beautifully structured wine could even surpass a decade in the cellar if kept well. (Winemakers Notes)
Lots of ripe and luscious aromas in this one with light prune, blackberry and cherry character. Medium to full body, round and juicy tannins. Chocolate, berry and light earth undertones. Even some pine nuts. Solid Napa Cab without the alcohol kick. From a handful of rockstar winemakers (the band) in the valley. Drink or hold. (James Suckling - 93 Points)
Region: Napa Valley, California
Varietal: 83% Cabernet, 15% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc
Price: $40
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Dead Fred Vineyard 2015
A single vineyard wine should have its own story to tell, a unique personality, and an innate balance and completeness. Of all of our Cabernet vineyards, the Dead Fred Vineyard fits this bill. Planted in 2001 by our dear friends Lisa Cort and David Goldman, we leased it in 2012 and started farming it ourselves, learning the site and using organic practices to bring out the best from the special soil. After a few years we decided it was ready to be a single vineyard wine. To that end we selected four barrels from the wine lot (otherwise destined for our Napa Valley Cabernet) that we felt best described the terroir.
The Dead Fred Vineyard in Coombsville sits on a rocky volcanic knoll, with soil of gray volcanic ash and rylolite (compressed ash) rocks. Its south-western exposure causes it to pick up heat during the day, and the proximity to the mouth of the Napa Valley keeps the nights cool. This combination of volcanic soil, daytime heat, and nighttime cool creates fruit that is uncommonly structured and ripe, yet fresh and minerally.
The fruit was fermented at low temperatures in small, open-top tanks and punched down by hand one to three times per day, depending on how the wine tasted during the fermentation. This wine was aged in 50% new French oak (Taransaud), and 50% older French oak barrels. The wine was given 20 months of elevage (aging in barrel).
Only 96 cases were made of this single vineyard wine. (Winemakers Notes)
Region: Napa Valley, California
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $85
2014 Futo OV|SL Proprietary Red Napa Valley
Parker flipped for this wine, saying “The lusciousness of this vintage is showcased by this seamless, beautifully pure and superbly crafted wine, which has an inky purple color and a big, sweet kiss of crème de cassis, blackberry, spring flowers and subtle background oak. The wine is opulent, full-bodied and majestic.” We call that an endorsement. This wine is an absolute must for your cellar.
Futo is already one of the superstars in a competitive and formidable lineup of top wineries in Napa Valley.” – Robert Parker Back in 2017, your response to the 2013 He-li-an-thus wine was a gratifying thing to see. Here’s a young winery doing everything right, from a gifted winemaker, Jason Exposto, to an expertly farmed hillside site, and finally a backer—venture capitalist Tom Futo—who spares no expense in the cellar. Greatness can be the only result, and you responded. So imagine our delight when Jason Exposto and Jessica Futo graciously agreed to part with a handful of cases of their Futo wines, wines that are praised to the skies by the critics, and made in such small quantity that they are vacuumed up by their mailing list. Well, not all of them. When your neighbors are Harlan Estate and Bond, you must bring your “A” game on every level, from meticulous farming to perfectionist winemaking, to merciless triage in the cave. Futo aims for what they call “concentration and buoyancy,” and one of the ways they achieve this is by never using any press wine, whatsoever, so there is never a seam or a hard edge to be found on any of the wines. Act fast to secure your share of these mailing-list escapees. We acquired just a handful of cases of each of these wines, near-impossible to find outside of world-class restaurants. (Bounty Hunter)
Region: Napa Valley, California
Varietal: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc
Price: $250
Odette, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
The 2016 Odette Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap Dictrict is laced with notes of blueberry pie, black currants, black cherries, crushed gravel, spring flowers, fresh lavender, and potpourri. Rich, layered and opaque purple in color, this mouth filling beauty coats the palate as it leads into the weightless, exuberant finish. (Winemaker’s Notes)
The deep purple-black colored 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is blended of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 4% Malbec and 4% Petit Verdot. It’s beautifully perfumed with fragrant earth, lavender, oolong tea and chocolate-covered cherries with a core of warm cassis, crushed wild blueberries plus a compelling waft of roses. The full-bodied palate has a firm yet somehow wonderfully elegant frame thanks to super ripe, super fine-grained tannins and background freshness supporting the perfumed black fruit layers, leading to a very long finish. (Wine Advocate, October 2018 - 95+ points)
Region: Stags Leap, Napa, California
Varietal: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 4% Malbec and 4% Petit Verdot
Price: $150
Realm The Bard 2015
Blended of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, the 2015 The Bard offers up a very deep garnet-purple color and highly perfumed scents of violets, dried Provence herbs, lavender and tapenade over a core of cassis and blackberry preserves. Full-bodied and loaded with perfumed black fruit layers, it has a solid frame of rounded, plush-textured tannins and a provocatively earthy finish. (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - 97 Points)
Amazing aromas of blackcurrants and black licorice with blue fruit. Hints of burnt orange peel. Full-bodied, very tight and refined on the palate. Tight and beautiful. A blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc. (James Suckling - 95 Points)
Region: Napa Valley, California
Varietal: 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot
Price: $250
Dana Estates Onda Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Onda is a wine made in the Bordeaux tradition, blending both varietals and vineyards together to create a synergy from our estate sites. We have been making this wine since 2005, experimenting by blending fruit from Helms, Hershey, Lotus and our fourth estate vineyard, Crystal Springs.
Dark cherry and berries, layered with baking spice and Madagascar vanilla. The palate opens with rich warm fruit notes that are interwoven with precise tannins. The wine is powerful, yet shows a refined pedigree for a wine primarily from hillside vineyards. The bright acidity brings freshness to the palate. Cherries, mocha and nutmeg linger on the finish, underscored by an enticing minerality. While inviting now, this wine will grow in complexity, and the flavors will marry further with time. Enjoy now through 2028 or beyond. (Winemaker’s Notes)
This is the best Onda ever. Subtle and perfumed aromas of blackberry, sage, and bramble berry. Plummy. Full-bodied, chewy yet velvety and polished. Layered and delicious. Pretty balance and length. Savory and salty. White pepper too. Wonderful finish. A blend of wines from all the vineyards of Dana with a majority from Crystal Spring and Hershey. So much precision here. Drink or hold. 987 cases. (James Suckling - 97 Points)
There are three vineyard sites, and the wine they cull out of those vineyards is the least expensive blend, Onda. The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Onda, which is 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Petit Verdot, sees less new oak than its stablemates. The wine is opaque purple with a beautiful, structured nose of spring flowers, blueberry and blackberry fruit and charcoal, followed by a medium to full-bodied opulence and richness. This is a beauty that should drink well for at least several decades. (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - 92 Points)
Region: Napa Valley, California
Varietal: 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot
Price: $240
Paradigm Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
The 2015 vintage produced delicious concentrated wines in smaller quantity than normal. This black raspberry colored Cabernet has lovely open aromatics of black cherry, berry, and plum layered with a perfect balance of new and used French Oak. Our blend uses several blocks of Cabernet, Merlot, and Cab Franc from our Estate vineyard in Oakville. The effect is one of layered complete flavors and a delicious expression of how beautiful Oakville wine can be. Flavors match the aromas. Tannins are moderate yet add a nice chewy texture and the length goes on several seconds. This is a beautiful wine that will age surely for decades but is delish now. (Winemaker, Heidi Barrett's Notes)
Heidi Barrett is well-known as the original winemaker for Screaming Eagle, but Paradigm is her secret sleeper from Oakville in Napa Valley. The brilliant new Paradigm 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is gorgeous now, but the patient may see it rival the wonderful 1999 Paradigm as this winery's best Cab ever. - Brix26
Region: Napa Valley, California
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cab Franc
Price: $80
Overture by Opus One Proprietary Red Napa Valley
Here it is, the multi-vintage second wine of Opus One, in its 2018 incarnation. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec was once a tasting-room only wine, and a great way to experience a softer, more young-drinking Opus One. Using multiple vintages enables the winemaking team to focus on making a forward-drinking style. Snap this one up while you see it! We only receive a limited number of cases. (Bounty Hunter Wines)
Region: Napa Valley, California
Varietal: Proprietary blend
Price: $110
Continuum 2015
The dark, rich core of the 2015 Continuum has aromas of cacao, black currant, cardamom and savory wild herb. On the palate it is layered and supple, revealing black cherry and roast espresso notes intertwined with mountain minerals and a hint of tangy orange spice. The wine is lush with ripe chocolaty tannins that lead to a long, expressive finish. 2015, though small in volume, is a mighty vintage for Continuum; one to savor today or age and appreciate for decades to come. (Winemaker’s Notes)
This is sensational with blackberries, blueberries and mineral. Extremely floral, too. Full-bodied but so seamless and refined with polished tannins that just melts into the wine. Goes on for minutes. A subtle and glorious wine that will be a new classic for Napa Valley. An emotional red that touches your soul. Energy. 46% cabernet sauvignon, 31% cabernet franc, 17% petit verdot, and 6% merlot. Very approachable now but better in 2022. (James Suckling - 100 points)
A blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Cabernet Franc, 17% Petit Verdot and 6% Merlot, the 2015 Proprietary Red is deep garnet-purple colored and has a wonderfully vibrant, energy-charged nose of redcurrant jelly, Black Forest cake, black raspberries, cassis and licorice with nuances of dark chocolate, camphor, bouquet garni and tobacco plus a waft of cedar. The medium to full-bodied palate is super intense, featuring loads of red, black and blue fruit fireworks, framed by firm, grainy tannins and great freshness, finishing very long with a provocative herbal lift. (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - 97)
Region: Napa Valley, California
Varietal: 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Cabernet Franc, 17% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot
Price: $240
Sloan Asterisk Proprietary Red Blend 2014
Since its debut with the 2004 vintage, ASTERISK Proprietary Red represents the second selection from SLOAN ESTATE, showcasing an alternate yet elegant and compelling expression of the terroir. Charming and bold, it is made from mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes. Produced under the same obsessive attention to detail and unyielding standards as SLOAN, ASTERISK is juicy and sensual, offering an explosion of fruit aromas and flavors. While it holds the promise of aging potential, it is a splendidly inviting wine that is intended to satisfy the desire for instant gratification.. (Winemaker’s Notes)
A gorgeous second wine, the 2014 Asterisk has a lot to offer. Succulent red cherry, plum and pomegranate fruit give the wine much of its racy personality. In 2014, the Asterisk has terrific energy and brightness, with pretty floral and savory notes that add perfume. There is so much grace and class here, but readers should expect the slightly slender style that is typical of the year. (Vinous - 93 Points)
Region: Napa Valley, California
Varietal: 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Cabernet Franc, 17% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot
Price: $240