Reviews

Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon coming from the west side of St. Helena, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon No. 10 has a deep garnet-purple color and delivers a stunning nose of warm black plums, cassis and baked black cherries with hints of underbrush, black truffles and tree bark plus a waft of cinnamon stick. The full-bodied palate has a rock-solid structure of firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness supporting the densely packed black fruit and earthy flavors, finishing on a thought-provoking mineral note. 126 cases were made.

Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon coming from the west side of St. Helena, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon No. 1 had extended maceration of skins for 44 days and then was aged in French oak, 59% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it explodes with bombastic blackberry compote, crème de cassis and boysenberries scents, followed by suggestions of cumin seed, cardamom, rosemary roasted lamb and unsmoked cigars plus a hint of pencil lead. Full-bodied, bold and decadently rich in the mouth, it delivers impactful black fruit preserves layers and loads of savory accents, supported by firm yet plush tannins and tons of freshness, finishing on a lingering earthy note. Although it delivers a hedonic experience right now, give it a good 5 years in bottle to get the wow factor and drink it over the next 20+ years. 115 cases were made.

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.

All Cabernet from St. Helena brought up in special La Grange Phi barrels, the 2018 JCB Phi certainly delivers the goods. A thrilling bottle of wine it ranks with the crème de la crème of this great vintage. Lots of pure cassis, flowers, crème brûlée, and classy oak emerge from the glass, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a pure, layered, multi-dimensional texture, flawless balance, and a great finish. It has an incredibly singular character and is just a brilliant bottle of wine. It has plenty of integrated oak, which should integrate with 4-5 years of bottle age, but I’d certainly be thrilled to drink a bottle today. It should keep for 30 years or more.

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.

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.

This appellation excelled in 2018, and I loved the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon District Collection Diamond Mountain. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon brought up in just under 50% new oak, it offers loads of red and black currant fruit as well as complex baking spice, chocolate, dried herbs, and earthy aromas and flavors. Rich but not heavy, balanced, and beautifully textured, it’s one of the top wines at the under-$100 price point.

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon District Collection Rutherford is another gem that has the charming, already approachable style that’s common from wines from Raymond, yet it also shines for its balance, mid-palate depth, and length on the finish. Lots of textbook Cabernet tobacco, earth, cassis, and spice notes emerge from the glass, and it’s another head-turning wine in the lineup that can be drunk today yet also cellared for 15 years or more.

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon District Collection Yountville comes from a single vineyard off State Lane and was brought up in 38% new French oak. Pretty, floral notes of sappy herbs, spring flowers, iron, chocolate, and more red fruits define the bouquet, and it’s beautifully concentrated and seamless on the palate. It’s another winner.

All the District Collection series are around 500 cases or less, and they give an incredible insight into the different appellations in the valley. Starting with the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon District Collection Stags Leap, it has perfumed red and black fruits and tobacco notes to go with full-bodied richness and a seamless, layered texture on the palate. Stags Leap is a cooler region, and you see that in the aromatics, but this brings serious fruit on the palate without losing its sense of finesse. It’s beautifully done and will evolve for 15-20 years.