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Chateau Buena Vista Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Reviews

Score: 92 | October 24, 2023 | The Wine Independent

Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2020 Chateau Buena Vista Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley gives up notes of stewed black plums, boysenberry preserves, and warm cassis plus hints of dusty soil, potpourri, and spice box. The full-bodied palate delivers plump, juicy black fruits with spicy accents and a plush texture, finishing with a minty lift.

Score: 90 | October 24, 2023 | The Wine Independent

The 2019 Chateau Buena Vista Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, with 10% Merlot, 2.5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, and 0.5% Malbec in the blend, is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. It leaps with notes of warm cassis, baked plums, and boysenberries with hints of menthol, cedar chest, and dried bay leaves. The medium to full-bodied palate has a soft texture and just enough freshness supporting the generous black fruit layers, finishing with an herbal lift.

Score: 92 | October 24, 2023 | The Wine Independent

Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2020 Chateau Buena Vista Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley gives up notes of stewed black plums, boysenberry preserves, and warm cassis plus hints of dusty soil, potpourri, and spice box. The full-bodied palate delivers plump, juicy black fruits with spicy accents and a plush texture, finishing with a minty lift.

Score: 94 | December 15, 2023 | James Suckling

Expressive and lush nose of creamy berries, dark cherries, vanilla, cassis and sweet oak spices. Full body with fine, creamy tannins. Rich and full of generous creamy berries and an equally demonstrative and dense finish with excellent length. Better from 2025.

Score: Silver | October 15, 2023 | San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo International Wine Competition
Score: 92 | June 29, 2022 | The Wine Independent

The 2018 Chateau Buena Vista Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it gives up blackcurrant cordial, stewed plums, and cigar box scents with hints of wild sage and forest floor. Full-bodied, the palate delivers savory-sparked black fruits, supported by chewy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing earthy.

Score: 91 PTS GOLD | April 10, 2023 | 2023 Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge

Beautiful expression of cabernet. Aged tobacco, dried cherries, herbal and slightly vegital. Classic cab. 

Score: Gold | January 22, 2023 | 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Score: 91 | December 31, 2022 | Wine Enthusiast

This ripe, rich, almost-sweet wine offers indulgent baking spices, cherry syrup, maple and black-currant flavors on a velvety texture of soft tannins. It feels broad and full bodied on the palate, letting the concentrated fruit flavors soak in.

Score: 94 | September 21, 2022 | JamesSuckling.com

Lovely nose of blueberries, currants, hazelnuts and mint chocolate. I like the texture of the tannins, which are plush and smooth, melting into the wine. Full-bodied, creamy and already delicious. Drink from 2023

Score: 91 | January 21, 2022 | The Globe and Mail

Located in Sonoma County, Buena Vista winery was founded in 1857 and is now owned by the Boisset family, which operates a growing number of estates in its native Burgundy and California. This polished and concentrated cabernet sauvignon is made with grapes grown in Napa Valley. The style is rich and flavourful, offering layers of fruit, spice and earthy notes, with serious structure and a lingering finish. Fans of bold reds should appreciate this style. Drink now-2028. Available in Ontario at the above price, various prices in Alberta.

Score: 89 | December 31, 1969 | Wine Spectator

Raspberry and cherry coulis notes race along, with a red licorice thread, ending with sweet spice accents and a hint of cedar on the friendly finish. Drink now through 2024. 9,250 cases made. — JM

Score: 95 | November 4, 2021 | JamesSuckling.com

This wine shows depth and balance, offering a classic nose of ripe dark fruit, vanilla and eucalyptus. Some crushed-stone minerality, too. Full-bodied and dense with impressive concentration, viscous tannins and bright acidity. Fresh and juicy aftertaste. Lovely now, but better in 2023.

Score: 93 | June 1, 2021 | The Wine Guy

Dense purple-black in colour; cedary, blackcurrant nose tinged with oak spice; full-bodied, dry, richly extracted and concentrated flavours of ripe blackberry and blackcurrant with well-integrated oak; firmly structured and muscular with soft tannins. Lovely mouth-feel. -Tony Aspler

Score: 92 | November 4, 2020 | Wine Spectator

Bright and overt in feel, with a nice welcoming blast of açaí berry, plum and blackberry fruit that has melded nicely with hints of alder, sassafras and bay leaf. Shows good energy throughout, with enough grip to cellar short-term. Best from 2021 through 2028. — JM

Score: Gold | July 6, 2018 | International Womens Wine Competition
Score: Gold | March 12, 2018 | TEXSOM International Wine Awards
Score: Gold | January 30, 2018 | American Fine Wine Competition
Score: Best of Class | January 14, 2018 | San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Score: Silver | November 21, 2017 | Grand Harvest Awards
Score: Gold, Reserve Class Champion | November 17, 2017 | Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition
Score: Gold | November 7, 2017 | InterVin International Wine Awards

The historic Buena Vista winery was California's first premium winery. The Chateau Buena Vista label was launched to pay homage to that legacy. Watch for this wine's release Feb. 3 in Ontario.

Score: 93 | October 16, 2017 | Wine Enthusiast

This smooth, velvety powerhouse is a rich, rewarding mix of dark chocolate and raspberry compote flavors, with integrated oak. With its succulent, full-bodied layers of ripe fruit, it pleases the palate in lavish luxury. 

Score: Double Gold | August 10, 2017 | San Francisco International Wine Competition
Score: 92 | June 9, 2017 | Ultimate Wine Challenge

A balanced, California Cabernet offering a nose brimming with red fruit, blackberries, light cedar, leather, smooth spice and baking spice. Smooth, juicy, and mildly tannic on the tongue with ripe black cherry, strawberry, cinnamon, slight toffee and plum jam.

Score: Silver | June 20, 2017 | Sunset International Wine Competition
Score: Gold | June 9, 2017 | Ultimate Wine Challenge

92 points

Excellent, Highly Recommended
A balanced, California Cabernet offering a nose brimming with red fruit, blackberries, light cedar, leather, smooth spice and baking spice. Smooth, juicy, and mildly tannic on the tongue with ripe black cherry, strawberry, cinnamon, slight toffee and plum jam.

Score: Gold | April 14, 2017 | Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge

Elegant; medium body.Really Nice cab.

Score: 91 | March 2, 2017 | Planet Grape

Full, chewy, lively and fresh with notes of black cherry, blueberry, boysenberry, cedar and molasses. 

Score: Gold | January 19, 2017 | American Fine Wine Competition
Score: 93 | February 1, 2017 | Wine Enthusiast

A new offering from the Sonoma-based producer meant to recall the estate’s original founding in the Napa Valley, this wine sources from across that appellation and impresses right away in its succulent and soft approach to the variety. With a backbone of cassis and vanilla, it’s expansive and lengthy, velvety in texture and very satisfying. 

Score: 95 | August 18, 2016 | The Tasting Panel

This wine celebrates Buena Vista's long history in Napa Valley, with grapes sourced from all over the region including St. Helena, Rutherford, Stags Leap, and Calistoga - and the label showcasing the impressive edifice at Buena Vista, depicts the winery built by its founder Count Agoston Haraszthy, in the late 19th century. Taste the tilled soil, the dusty cherry-chocolate cedar and the opulent, finely grained tannins that over-deliver for the price in this deep magenta-hued powerhouse. – Meridith May