This Week's Must-Try Wines from Vinous
Forman
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Ric Forman's 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is all class. The 2016 won't be ready to drink for at least another few years, but it is already super attractive, and also very typical of Ric Forman's style. Lavender, spice, and red cherry run through this wine made in a mid-weight, translucent style that is all class and finesse. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2020)
— 4 years ago
Chappellet
Napa Valley Cabernet Franc 2017
The 2017 Cabernet Franc is a gorgeous wine with tons of character. Bright red cherry, red plum, spice, graphite, dried flowers, mint and a whole range of spice notes infuse the Franc with tons of flavor complexity. Juicy and pliant, with terrific purity, the Franc is a clear winner in this range. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2020)
— 4 years ago
Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards
Right Bank Red Bordeaux Blend 2016
The 2016 Right Bank has really gained tremendous weight and richness over the last year. Black cherry, smoke, leather, licorice, cloves and scorched earth are front and center in this massively hulking Right Bank. Deep, dense and potent, the 2016 will go on for 15 to 20 years; maybe more. This is an impressive showing. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2020)
— 4 years ago
Hall Wines
Kathryn Hall Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn Hall is a rich, dense wine. Dark red and purplish berry fruit, spice, lavender and new leather all flesh out in an ample, creamy Cabernet Sauvignon endowed with tremendous textural resonance. This is one of the more expressive wines in the range. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2020)
— 4 years ago
Freemark Abbey
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is plump, juicy and forward - all characteristics that make it a terrific choice for drinking now and over the next decade or so. Sweet black cherry, plum, new oak, spice, new leather and coffee notes are all pushed forward in this mid-weight, succulent and highly appealing Cabernet. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2020)
— 4 years ago
Dalla Valle Vineyards
MDV Maya Dalla Valle Red Blend 2016
Dalla Valle's 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon MDV - a 100% Cabernet from the Maya blocks - is simply magnificent. Another year in bottle has really helped the 2016 come together. Inky and explosive yet also wonderfully transparent for such a big wine, the 2016 is mind-blowingly beautiful. Tasting it brings back fond memories of the 1999, a one-off auction wine that later became the prototype for the present-day MDV. The 2016 is so vivid in the glass, and yet it possesses tremendous richness and simply mind-blowing intensity. What a wine! (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2020)
— 4 years ago
Groth Vineyards & Winery
Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve emerges from two blocks on the western edge of the property where gravelly, alluvial soils naturally produce low yields in the vineyard. Black cherry, menthol, lavender, spice and dried flowers all develop enticingly in the glass. Bright and focused with plenty of supporting structure, the 2016 is extremely expressive, even in the early going. I would give it a few years in bottle to soften. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2020)
— 4 years ago
Diamond Creek Vineyards
Red Rock Terrace Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace is a dark, powerful wine. It is also richer and more immediate than has been the norm here in the past. Bold and racy in the glass with tremendous fruit density, the 2016 is packed with a whole range of super-ripe red cherry and red plum fruit flavors. Spice, floral and licorice overtones add a pretty upper register to this expressive and surprisingly accessible young Diamond Creek Cabernet. Readers won't have to cellar the 2016 too long - that much is clear. The 2016 was done with 120% new oak, which means 100% new in the first year and another 20% new in the second year, which I don't think this wine really needs. That said, the oak is very nicely balanced. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2020)
— 4 years ago
Buccella
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Blackberry jam, chocolate, new leather, licorice, dark chocolate and espresso all infuse Buccella's 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon with notable complexity to play off the super-ripe, plush fruit. Readers should expect a full-throttle, extroverted style. Even with all of its opulence, the 2016 is very nicely balanced. It is another compelling wine in a streak of strong recent releases from Buccella. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2020)
— 4 years ago
Delectable Wine
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The 2015 Opus One is rich, sensual and super-polished. That said, 2015 has really shut down since I tasted it last year, which is probably a very good sign for the future. All of the fruit intensity and ripeness of the vintage is evident, but the wine feels a bit more compact and less exuberant than it did at the outset. Sweet floral and spice notes add a gentler touch as the wine opens up just a bit with air. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2020)
— 4 years ago