N°1 Cabernet Sauvignon Reviews

Presenting an authoritative message, this is a dense, muscular, extracted Cabernet loaded with dark berry, graphite, crushed rock and tobacco notes, cloaked in chewy, detailed tannins and ending with a long, full finish. 

Generous, featuring ripe and fleshy plum, black cherry, wild berry, raspberry and anise notes, with an array of flavors framed and supported by firm, ripe tannins. Well-proportioned, clean and vibrant, delivering a long, saturated finish. Drink now through 2024. 

The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon JCB No 1 is absolutely magnificent – a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from clone 4 aged 19 months in 50% new French oak. Unfortunately, only 130 cases were made, but it’s a stunner from Boisset. Opaque purple, with notes of licorice, graphite, roasted espresso and chocolate, the wine shows terrific intensity, great fruit and a full-bodied, multidimensional mouthfeel. Drink it over the next 15 or more years.

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon JCB No. 1, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon bottled unfined and unfiltered after spending 19 months in 65% new French oak, has an opaque purple color, a glorious nose of graphite, blackberry, licorice, incense, Asian spice and white chocolate. The wine has great fruit on the attack, an opulent, full-bodied, multi-tiered mouthfeel and a layered, pure finish of a good 45+ seconds. It is a brilliant wine and will drink well for up to 20 or more years.

This hedonistically powerful mix of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot traffics in blackberry and black cherry jam over a layer of soft tannins. Coffee, toffee and subtle Asian and cinnamon spice keep the proceedings lively, for this is a seriously ripe and playful wine. Cellar through 2020. — V.B. 

A stylish offering, sleek and elegant, with tiers of spicy dark berry, currant, chocolate brownie, cedar and graphite, it gains richness and dimension before firming nicely on the finish, where the tannins take hold and turn chalky.  –JL

The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon JCB No. 1 is composed of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Oakville Ranch and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot. Sadly, there are only 101 cases of this fabulous wine. Aromas of lead pencil shavings, chocolate-infused expresso, crème de cassis and blackberries along with some barrique smells emerge from this full-bodied, dramatic, flamboyant 2012. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.

The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon JCB No. 1 that includes the words “voluptuous, opulent, incorrigible” on the back label. It possesses more sweet black cherry and mulberry fruit reminiscent of a Merlot from Pomerol. The color is a healthy dark ruby/purple, and the wine is round, generous, voluptuous, beautifully textured and long. Drink this seductive Cabernet over the next 10-15 years.

This is dazzlingly rich and delicious. It swamps the mouth with ripe blackberry and cherry jam, cassis liqueur, chocolate and sweet new oak flavors, wrapped into fine tannins, and brightened with just-in-time acidity. High alcohol creates some heat, and it’s not an ager, so drink now–2015.

A stylish statement, reliant on equal parts dense, mocha-laced flavors of currant and dark berry, joined by creamy, vanilla bean-tinged oak. Extracted, dense and concentrated, this maintains its chewiness through the finish, where it takes on a more rustic presence. The inaugural Jean-Charles Boisset Cabernet. Best from 2013 through 2023. 50 cases made.

An outstanding wine, the best California Cabernet Jean-Charles Boisset has ever produced from any of his properties. It stands out in any tasting of its peers. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, and aged in 60% new oak, it shows satisfying, complex flavors of blackberries, blueberries, cassis, hazelnut-infused chocolate and spices. Hard to exaggerate its power and grace. Wonderful now and good for six years, but it's difficult to predict its evolution beyond 2018. -S.H.