2023 Deauratus Cabernet Sauvignon Jillian Rose Vineyard, Paso Robles
San Francisco Wine Panel Score 95+ Points
If never downright powerful, this Cabernet is deep and complex, and it delivers a truly fine panorama of fruity and savory scents that include blackberry, black currant, dark plum, leather, peppercorn, mineral, toasted oak and roasted game. All of these elements fan out on the palate, where the wine is forthcoming in concentrated fruit and spice notes while being texturally tense, palate-coating and quietly gripping through a finish that is long-lingering. Additionally, it delivers its exotic savory and fruit flavors at a fine price. 220 cases produced.
2021 Eleve Cabernet Sauvignon Bismark Vineyard, Moon Mountain,
Sonoma Valley
San Francisco Wine Panel Score 95+ Points
Deep in mineral, terroir and dark fruit impressions, this is an impressive Cabernet from the moment the cork is pulled. The nose is dominated by black currant, dark plum and black raspberry fruit counterpointed by aromas of graphite, dried sage, bay leaf and laurel, to create a fine harmony while delivering impressive intensity. A medley of black raspberry, black currant, graphite, dried herbs, subtle of hints of soy sauce and charcoal-like minerality takes center stage on the palate, eclipsing both the wine's notable mineral underpinnings as well as its tannins, as the wine airs. The finish lingers well, yet the drying effect of the tannin-mineral combination brings a sense of textural firmness, especially when the cork is first pulled. Beautifully food-balanced, it should further showcase its distinctive fruit right now if paired with a rich beef entree, although the wine can be expected to continue to improve for another three years or more. 150 cases produced.
2019 Beherens Family Cabernet Sauvignon "Spare Me" Napa Valley
San Francisco Wine Panel Score 95+ Points
Deeply ripe and well concentrated, the nose of this already attractively evolved Cabernet is a sweet-natured medley of blackberry, black raspberry, clove, cedar, baking spice, dark pipe tobacco, black tea leaf and licorice root scents. It is textbook Behrens Cab on the palate, where a wave of fruity richness uplifts luxurious flavors centered on dark cherry married to loads of pretty oak. This combination dominates the wine’s otherwise impressive tannin and mineral undercurrents through a very long, generous finish. Delicious already, although not yet at its peak, this was the only Behrens wine to survive the 2020 fires that destroyed most of this winery. A blend of 75% Cabernet, 15% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. 131 cases made.
2023 Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon “The Carter”, Napa Valley
San Francisco Wine Panel Score 97 Points
Beautiffully fruity and focused, the aromas of this immediately attractive Cabernet pour forth as a concentrated medley of black cherry, cassis, boysenberry, vanilla, toasted cedar, hazelnut nougat and licorice root. The flavors are just as forthcoming and deliver much of the weighty elegance of Carter’s To Kalon Vineyard Cabs, while the lingering flavors of black cherry, cassis, licorice root, graphite and dark pipe tobacco are already a satisfying pleasure. Expect at least four years of steady improvement, as this wine seems poised to become ever better.
2021 Kathryn Kennedy Cabernet Sauvignon “Estate”, Santa Cruz Mountains
San Francisco Wine Panel Score 97+ Points
Still youthful yet already distinctive, this Mountain Cabernet is deep, complex and plush, with generous aromas of blackberry, mulberry, black currant, dried fig, toffee, baking spice, licorice root and graphite. It demonstrates even more impressive evolution on the palate, where jammy blackberry flavors join racy violet accents at center stage while finding gorgeous harmony with undercurrents of dark fruits and pretty oak spice. The finish is quite long and the rich fruit is elegantly counterpointed by strong minerality and uplifting zest. Truly a delightful dinner wine already, it is surely several more years from its full expression. 110 cases produced.
2021 Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon Leonardini Vineyard, St Helena, Napa Valley
San Francisco Wine Panel Score 96 Points
2021 produced a firmer, gutsier bottling from this outstanding property, one that delivers a darker personality. Black currant, dark sour cherry and hints of pomegranate syrup join aromas of licorice root, mocha, tobacco and baking spice to fill out the nose. It offers the textbook Leonardini Vineyard zest on the palate, where rich body, focused and slightly jammy red and black fruits create a dinner worthy harmony and give lingering pleasure despite the wine’s youth. If enjoyed now, it should serve as nicely with sauced meats as with grilled steak, and it should get better for several years. 413 cases produced.