Reviews

Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville District Collection was aged in French oak, 47% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it charges out of the gate with bold notions of blackcurrant preserves, baked plums and blackberry pie with hints of mocha, black olives, bouquet garni and tar with a waft of Sichuan pepper. The full-bodied palate completely fills the mouth with decadent black fruit preserves flavors, framed by ripe, plush tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long with invigorating herbal sparks. 119 cases were made. -Lisa Perrotti-Brown

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

... wafting out of the glass with the most gorgeous perfume of kirsch, blackcurrant cordial, blackberry preserves and spice cake, followed by notes of potpourri, oolong tea and unsmoked cigars. The full-bodied, decadently fruited palate delivers loads of savory accents among the juicy black and red fruit layers, supported by velvety tannins and bags of freshness, finishing long and fragrant. 

-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 Phi is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, coming from a single vineyard in St. Helena. It was aged in 100% new French oak barrels. Deep garnet-purple in color, it delivers powerful scents of crème de cassis, blueberry compote and Black Forest cake with suggestions of eucalyptus, mocha, licorice and tilled soil. Full-bodied, super concentrated and laden with black and blue fruit preserves flavors, it has a solid yet plush frame of exquisitely ripe tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with epically long-lasting exotic spice notes. One for the hedonists! Only 25 cases were made.

The 2018 Passion is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot coming from vineyards in Oakville, St. Helena and Rutherford. Deep garnet-purple colored, it sashays out of the glass with a compelling perfume of Morello cherries, red and black currant jelly, preserved plums and rose oil, plus hints of cardamom, Chinese five spice and fragrant earth. The full-bodied palate is rich and voluptuous, framed by velvety tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with lots of layers and epic length. 296 cases were made.

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.