Reviews

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Reserve is composed of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, coming from more than 20 different sites, with 29% coming from estate vineyards in St. Helena and Rutherford. It was aged in French oak barrels, 37% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it rocks up with ready-for-business scents of blackcurrant pastilles, redcurrant jelly and Morello cherries with hints of dried Provence herbs, pencil shavings and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with crunchy black fruits, supported by firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and savory. -Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon District Collection Stags Leap was aged in French oak, 53% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it offers up vibrant notes of crushed black and red currants, mulberries and fresh black cherries with hints of camphor, lavender, tobacco leaf and tapenade. Full-bodied, the palate delivers taut, muscular black fruits with a firm grainy frame and plenty of freshness, finishing with a minty kick. 191 cases were made. -Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon District Collection Diamond Mountain has a deep garnet-purple color and strides confidently out of the glass with classic cassis, cedar and plum preserves scents followed by hints of graphite, tilled soil and bay leaves plus a waft of woodsmoke. Full-bodied, concentrated and accented by loads of savory/earthy hints, it has a powerful core of dark fruit and a firm frame of rugged mountain tannins, finishing on a lingering smoked meats note. Give it a good 4–5 years in bottle for the tannins to settle down and drink it over the next 15+ years. 115 cases were made. -Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga District Collection was aged in French oak, 42% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it bursts from the glass with notes of stewed black cherries, black plum preserves and warm cassis, plus hints of dried mint, garrigue, fertile loam and truffles with a touch of scorched earth. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has seriously lively, crunchy black fruits and loads of bright, herbal sparks on offer, framed by soft tannins and bold freshness, finishing on a compelling mineral note. 263 cases were made. -Lisa Perrotti-Brown

A blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec, 9% Petit Verdot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 3% Merlot, the 2018 1 1/2 Acre Red is made from organic and biodynamically grown estate fruit. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it prances out of the glass with gregarious notions of kirsch, warm blackcurrants, red and black plums and rose oil, plus hints of chocolate box, cloves and unsmoked cigars. Full-bodied, rich and opulent, it has a gorgeous velvety texture and just enough freshness supporting the flamboyant fruit, finishing long and perfumed. Just 56 cases were made. -Lisa Perrotti-Brown

The 2018 Merlot No. 4 is made from 100% Merlot, from the east side of St. Helena on volcanic/obsidian-rich soils. It was aged in French oak, 21% new. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it comes bounding out of the glass with lively notes of crushed black plums, juicy blueberries and fresh blackberries with suggestions of candied violets, baking spices, cardamom and fruitcake. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers soft, rounded tannins and oodles of freshness, beautifully framing the ripe, fresh black and blue fruits, finishing long and spicy. Only 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.

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.