Reviews

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Reserve is also incredible, and given the large quantities here, it should be relatively easy to find. Lots of currants, tobacco, cedar, and dried herb notes emerge from the glass, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with nicely integrated oak, sweet tannins, and a great finish. Hats off to winemaker Stephanie Putnam for making such an impressive wine at this price point and quantity. Drink bottles over the coming 7-8 years.

Cooler climate-like notes currants, green herbs, tobacco, and chocolate emerge from the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon District Collection Yountville, a medium to full-bodied, nicely balanced, structured Cabernet. The tannins are more obvious here, so give it 3-4 years in the cellar.

Lots of ripe currants, loamy earth, truffle, and savory herb notes emerge from the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon District Collection Stags Leap, and it’s medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a layered, seamless, balanced style that’s already drinking nicely. As with all the Single Vineyard District Collection releases, it’s all varietal, and this release spent 19 months in 50% new Taransaud barrels.

Another gem is the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon District Collection Rutherford, a more savory, red and black-fruited 2019 that has complex notes of tobacco leaf, truffle, and loamy earth. I love its tannins, it’s medium to full-bodied, and incredibly elegant on the palate. It picks up more classic green tobacco and underbrush notes with air and is a satisfying, complete, balanced Cabernet to enjoy over the coming 15-20 years.

Coming from the northern part of the valley, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon District Collection Diamond Mountain boasts a deep ruby/plum color as well as a vibrant, surprisingly fresh bouquet of blue fruits, cedarwood, tobacco, and iron. Medium to full-bodied and focused, with building, ripe tannins, it shows its mountain origins and will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age. As with all these releases from winemaker Stephanie Putnam, it will have not issues evolving for 15+ years.

The deep ruby-hued 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon District Collection Calistoga is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and was raised all in 32% new Saury barrels. It has wonderful balance as well as a medium to full-bodied, elegant, almost understated profile that builds nicely with air. It has classic Cabernet darker currants fruits as well as subtle tobacco, incense, and floral nuances. Again, the balance is terrific, and it should have no problems evolving for 15+ years. I suspect it will show more intensity with another couple of years of bottle age as well.

The 2019 1 1/2 Acre Red checks in as 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec, 7% Petit Verdot, and the rest Merlot and Cabernet Franc. This perfumed, pretty, complex red offers loads of cassis, black cherry, and candied violet aromatics, medium to full body, a round, lush mouthfeel, and a great finish. It’s a big, ripe wine, yet it still stays nicely focused and vibrant on the palate.

The 2019 Passion is another brilliant value and possibly the finest vintage of this cuvée to date. Based on Cabernet Sauvignon with 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, from a mix of vineyards, it’s a full-bodied, round, straight-up sexy red that has lots of black fruits as well as notes of leafy herbs, chocolate, and earth.

Blackberries, peppery herbs, leather, and sappy green herb notes all emerge from the 2019 Leopard, a blend of 56% Syrah, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 12% Cabernet Franc. This medium to full-bodied, ripe, super sexy, seamless red will drink well for 10-12 years.

Great tannins, nice expression of place.