Reviews

The 2018 Cabernet Franc No. 17 is made from 100% Cabernet Franc, from the east side of St. Helena on volcanic/obsidian-rich soils. It was aged in French oak, 50% new. Deep garnet-purple in color, it springs from the glass with vivacious scents of Morello cherries, black raspberries and redcurrant jelly with hints of menthol, chocolate box, pencil shavings and Ceylon tea. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with crunchy red and black fruits, supported by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and oodles of freshness, finishing long with a skip in its step. 49 cases were made.

Durant & Booth 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic, full-bodied Napa Valley Cab with juicy layers of dark fruit, black currant, dark chocolate, savoury herb and spicy, toasty oak flavours on the palate. Wine grapes for this vintage were sourced from several Napa vineyards in Calistoga, St. Helena and Rutherford. The wine was aged for 10 months in 25% new French oak barrels. Drink or hold. Pour with prime rib. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: venison burgers, prime rib roast, tourtière, gourmet burgers.

Gorgeous crème de cassis, crushed violets, lead pencil, graphite, and a liquid rock-like character all emerge from the 2018 Surrealist, a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from St. Helena and 15% Petit Verdot from Rutherford. Full-bodied, deep, dense, and brilliantly concentrated, with building tannins and just an incredible mix of power and elegance, this needs 4-5 years of bottle age and will keep for 25 to 30 years.

I always like this cuvée and the 2018 Tarot is no exception. It’s also a terrific value. Based on 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, and the balance Merlot and Cabernet Franc, it has a great, perfumed nose of red and black fruits, toasted spices, dried herbs, and chocolate. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, silky, nicely balanced 2018 red blend that’s ideal for enjoying over the coming 7-8 years or so.

The 2018 Secret Blend is another outstanding wine. Made from 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, from sites in Oakville, Rutherford, and St. Helena, it has a deep purple color as well as ample darker currant and cassis fruit intermixed with plenty of lead pencil and subtle floral notes. Nicely concentrated, full-bodied, and textured, it should easily evolve for 10-15 years. Winemaker Stephanie Putnam continues to fashion terrific, character-filled wines well worth seeking out.

The 2018 Pinot Noir Le Duc Noir has a Burgundian vibe as well as classy leather, red fruit, and dried flower-like aromas and flavors. It’s medium-bodied, elegant, and silky on the palate, with lots of character. This cuvée comes from a handful of sites on the Sonoma Coast and was brought up in 15% new French oak.

The 2018 Chronology checks in as a mix of mostly Petite Sirah, Syrah, Merlot, Grenache, and Malbec, yet has small amounts of other red varieties. Beautiful blue fruits, violets, spice, and some earthy, herbal notes give way to a medium to full-bodied, elegant, undeniably delicious red. I’d drink bottles in their youth, but it should keep for at 3-5 years.

The 2018 1 1/2 Acre Red comes from an estate vineyard in Rutherford and is 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec, 9% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Merlot, all of which was harvested at the same time and co-fermented. Beautiful blue fruits, violets, spring flowers, and sappy herb notes emerge from this medium to full-bodied red, which has good acidity, silky tannins, and outstanding length. Aged in a mix of barrels and amphora, give bottles 2-3 years in the cellar and enjoy over the following 15+.

Lots of sweet tobacco, chocolate, and earth as well as plenty of dark fruits emerge from the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Generations. This stunning 2018 is full-bodied, concentrated, and light on its feet, with perfect symmetry and balance. Based on 100% Cabernet Sauvignon blended from four different vineyards in St. Helena and Rutherford, aged in 52% new French oak, this powerful yet elegant Napa Valley Cabernet already offers pleasure, yet my money is on it evolving for over two decades.

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon District Collection Howell Mountain is a classic mountain wine with big structure and tannins, yet it brings plenty of rich, concentrated fruit as well. Offering notes of tobacco, chocolate, and loamy earth, it has good purity, chewy, building tannins, and outstanding length. Based on 100% Cabernet Sauvignon brought up in 63% new French oak, it’s one for the cellar. Give bottles 3-5 years if you can, and it should keep for two decades in cold cellars.