Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Nickel & Nickel – Vaca Vista Vineyard – Cab Sauv– 2022
Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley, California 🇺🇸

Overview
A single-vineyard Napa Cabernet sourced from the cool and elegant Oak Knoll District. Fermented and aged with the classic Nickel & Nickel precision, this expression favors balance, red-to-dark fruit purity, and structure over sheer power. A modern Napa style that emphasizes approachability without sacrificing depth.

Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, cassis, plum, and violet, with cedar, vanilla, graphite, and a touch of baking spice. Subtle oak integration allows the fruit and minerality to shine.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus in body, polished, and cohesive. Fresh acidity, supple tannins, and a graceful arc from entry to finish. Not a bruiser — a refined, cooler-climate profile that stays lively and lifted.

Food Pairings
Flat iron steak, short ribs, mushroom risotto, grilled lamb chops, herb-crusted pork tenderloin, or aged cheeses.

Verdict
A beautifully balanced, site-driven Napa Cabernet that delivers both sophistication and drinkability. Finessed rather than forceful, and a strong example of why Oak Knoll continues to be one of Napa’s most exciting AVAs for Cabernet.

Did You Know?
Nickel & Nickel was founded by the Far Niente family with a mission to produce 100% varietal, single-vineyard wines, showcasing Napa’s terroir with clarity. Oak Knoll is one of Napa Valley’s coolest sub-AVAs, producing elegant, aromatic reds with natural acidity and restraint.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
Oak Knoll being a single-vineyard expression from this sub-AVA makes it one of the easiest, most easygoing Cabernets from the Napa floor, and I always like to have it as an opener when pouring more intense Napa reds. A perfect warm-up that sets the stage beautifully. — a month ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

Gratifying Oak Knoll #napavalley #merlot - medium plus body, calibrated acidity, some vanilla and toasty oak notes so it’s pretty young but well executed Merlot. My hot take - Merlot at the $50 retail mark will outperform Cabs at this price point. — 6 months ago

Walt M Britt

9.4

Every time I drink this wine I cannot wait till the next time I take it from the rack! — 3 days ago

Jack Krawczyk

9.2

unripe plum with a touch of kefir — 16 days ago

Matthew Cohen

9.2

N: Cherry. Spice.

P: soft plum. Juicy.

Mosaic $16.50 btg — 3 months ago

Charlie Frago

9.1

Great color , moderate fruit and solid tannins. Similar to Dragons Tooth. Very enjoyable.  — 9 months ago

Charlie Frago

9.1

Kniss 2021 cab modern few not too heavy well balanced very enjoyable will have another  — 16 days ago

Wulf Losee

9.3

Tobacco and a hint of smokiness (in a good way) on the nose. Faint hint of red fruit on the front. Medium tannic structure — surprising for a Napa Valley Cab but with really lovely vibrancy. Light mineral highnotes on the finish. Lovely. — 2 months ago

Gijs jakobs

9.5

Beste wit, met een eindeloze afdronk — 3 months ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.0

Fantastic Cab Franc! Deep ruby color. Aromas of strawberry, raspberry and Anaheim pepper skin. Smooth flavors of dark and red fruit, oak with a tannic finish. — 9 months ago