Wine Acclaim
91 Points Wine Enthusiast
2018 ARTEMIS Cabernet Sauvignon
“Editor’s Choice”
From a blend of beautiful sites across the valley, including Arcadia Vineyard in Coombsville and Rancho Chimiles in Wooden Valley, as well as small amounts of grapes from S.L.V. and Fay, this wine is inviting in dense aromas of red fruit, caramel and brioche.
December 2020
91 Points Wine Enthusiast
2018 KARIA Chardonnay
This is an opulent, structured and mineral-driven white wine, richly layered and robustly built with weight and ample body. Brioche, honeycomb and baked apple meet a complement of fresh acidity and a lasting note of stone. —V.B.
October 2020
91 Points Wine & Spirits
2018 KARIA Chardonnay
“Year’s Best CA Chardonnays”
Clean and brisk, this takes creamy Napa Valley ripeness and adds a smoky, raw-almond depth of flavor. Pour it with mackerel pâté. —J.G
October 2020
96 Points Wine Enthusiast
2017 CASK 23 Cabernet Sauvignon
“Cellar Selection”
A 100% varietal wine from the best lots of two of the producer’s prized sites, Fay and S.L.V., this wine is richly expansive in red fruit, balanced by bright acidity and lengthy structure. Clove, black pepper, black olive and a dash of dark chocolate mingle on the palate. Best from 2027–2037. Cellar Selection. —V.B
December 2020
95 Points Wine & Spirits
2017 CASK 23 Cabernet Sauvignon
“Year’s Best US Cabernet/Blends”
The tannins are rich, the aroma smoky, but the bright liveliness of the fruit—the persimmon, the cherry and the fresh cigar tobacco—are the elements that shine through. Youthful and unevolved, this wine is an investment in the future, with patient cellaring required. —J.G.
December 2020
95 Points JamesSuckling.com
2017 CASK 23 Cabernet Sauvignon
This has a fresh, fruity nose of blackberries, small black cherries, mahogany, anise and crushed hazelnuts. It’s medium-to full-bodied with a creamy, silky texture. Seamlessly smooth, ripe tannins accompany velvety layers of ripe blue and black fruit. Wonderful now or in years to come. Better in 2023.
January 2021
93 Points Wine Spectator
2017 CASK 23 Cabernet Sauvignon
Violet, cassis and blackberry puree notes form the bulk of this wine, while dashes of singed cedar and briar chime in throughout, with a tug of sweet earth at the very end. Still rather coiled up, so let this unwind with cellaring. Best from 2022 through 2035. —J.M.
September 2020
97 Points Wine Enthusiast
2017 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon
“Cellar Selection”
From the producer’s first site that was planted in 1970, this wine is sumptuous in blackberry, fig and dark chocolate. A bright wisp of cassis shines on the midpalate, enlivening the bold, supple texture. Underlying layers of crushed rock and iron provide a welcome and intriguing minerality that highlights the finish.
December 2020
94 Points JamesSuckling.com
2017 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon
This leads with blackcurrants, stewed blackberries, eucalyptus and cloves. Some dried violets, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, silky tannins. Very well integrated. Lovely ripe fruit and sweet spices on the finish. Delicious. Drink or hold.
December 2020
93 Points Wine & Spirits
2017 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon
“Year’s Best US Cabernet/Blends”
The rocky hillside soils of S.L.V. produced a dark and savory cabernet in 2017, with peppery intensity that feels driven by alcohol at first. Then, as it settles and integrates, the alcohol becomes part of the dynamic whole, layered into the tannins to highlight their dark-chocolate succulence.
December 2020
92 Points Wine Spectator
2017 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon
Compact, with a juicy core of blackberry and black currant fruit waiting to unwind. When it does, this will have lively licorice snap and singed apple wood notes. There's a subtle violet hint in the background to add some grace, but this has a nice sense of power overall. Best from 2021 through 2032. —J.M.
September 2020
95 Points Wine Enthusiast
2017 FAY Cabernet Sauvignon
“Cellar Selection”
From the historic site where Stag’s Leap first began, this is nearly 100% varietal, with just 1.5% Cabernet Franc. It delivers a lifted, floral character dipped in tangy red fruit. The tannins are pillowy and supple, with a structure will last. Enjoy from 2027–2037. Cellar Selection. —V.B.
December 2020
93 Points JamesSuckling.com
2017 FAY Cabernet Sauvignon
An aromatic red with currants and blackberries, as well as roses, following through to a full body with round tannins and a savory finish. Hard not to drink now, but better in 2021.
December 2020
92 Points Wine Spectator
2017 FAY Cabernet Sauvignon
Nicely vivid, with a racy beam of cassis and blackberry purees running through, with light alder, bay, mineral and iron notes along the edges. Stays very focused through the streamlined finish. Elegant, especially in this vintage. Drink now through 2032. —J.M.
September 2020
92 Points Wine Enthusiast
2017 ARTEMIS Cabernet Sauvignon
Plum, mocha and turned earth highlight the palate of this robust, full-bodied and powerfully broad red wine, tense in firm tannin and a cradling of toasted oak. The acidity helps to balance its heft, leaving a note of lasting freshness on the spicy finish. —V.B.
May 2020
92 Points The Wine Advocate
2017 ARCADIA VINEYARD Chardonnay
The 2017 Chardonnay Arcadia Vineyard leaps from the glass with vibrant notions of white peaches, guava and lemon curd plus hints of crème brûlée, honeyed toast, cedar and mandarin peel. Medium to full-bodied, it has a pleasant oiliness to the texture and bags of flavor, finishing long and toasty.
November 2019
91 Points Wine Enthusiast
2017 AVETA Sauvignon Blanc
This has 10% Sauvignon Musqué, 3% Sémillon and 1% Muscat Canelli. Together, the grapes provide an experience of floral melon, stone fruit and white flower, a pungent nuttiness contributing additional complexity. The midpalate is steely and high toned in citrus. —V.B.
June 2019
96-98 Points The Wine Advocate
2016 CASK 23 Cabernet Sauvignon
Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a very firm frame of super-ripe tannins supporting the multilayered flavors, finishing on an epically long, lingering fragrant earth note. Beautiful.
October 2018
95 Points Wine Spectator
2016 CASK 23 Cabernet Sauvignon
Well-detailed, with a deep, solidly built core of currant, blackberry, bramble and apple wood notes, showing good energy through the richly layered finish. Youthful, but slowly takes on a more seductive feel as this airs in the glass.
April 2020
95 Points Wine Enthusiast
2016 CASK 23 Cabernet Sauvignon
“Cellar Selection”
This gorgeous wine combines the best of two historic vineyards—Fay and S.L.V.—into one cohesive, refined whole. A soft entry of woody spice and toasted oak leads the way to an expansive midpalate of currant, crushed rock, dried herb and elegant tannins begging for further time in the bottle.
December 2019
95 Points JamesSuckling.com
2016 CASK 23 Cabernet Sauvignon
Shows extremely complex aromas of blackberries and currants with pine needles and black olives. Subtle, yet complete on the nose. Full body, extremely fine tannins and good balance. Very long and caressing on the finish. Goes on for a long time. Better after 2021.
February 2020
95 Points JamesSuckling.com
2016 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon
This is really fine-textured and alluring on the palate with super polished tannins and gloriously subtle and complex fruit, such as currants and spices. Some pine needles, too. Love the silky texture and beautiful flavors at the end. Drink or hold.
February 2020
94-97 Points The Wine Advocate
2016 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon
Medium to full-bodied, the palate reveals incredibly provocative and complex layers of black fruits and earthy notions, supported by a rock-solid, grainy texture and plenty of freshness, finishing with great length and depth.
October 2018
94 Points Wine Enthusiast
2016 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon
“Cellar Selection”
Graphite, flint and toasted oak accent a core of brawny, concentrated black fruit in this estate red. Clove, black currant, cigar box and firm, structured tannins contribute to the classic nature of this well-made wine.
December 2019
93 Points Wine Spectator
2016 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon
Features a well-focused beam of red and black currant coulis running through, laced with light savory, anise and singed cedar notes. Everything pulls together through the finish, showing a sense of finesse to match the power. Drink now through 2035. —J.M.
December 2019
94 Points Wine Enthusiast
2016 FAY Cabernet Sauvignon
Soft, rounded red fruit marks the juicy midpalate of this beautifully made wine that is appealing in its robust weight and power. With tamed tannins, it offers a mix of black cherry, dried herb, graphite and crushed rock around a length of supportive oak. —V.B.
December 2019
93-96 Points The Wine Advocate
2016 FAY Cabernet Sauvignon
Giving way to earth-laced blackcurrants, black cherries and warm plums plus suggestions of unsmoked cigars, charcuterie and tar. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is completely coated with energetic black fruits and savory layers, framed by firm, ripe tannins and background freshness, finishing long and mineral laced.
October 2018
93 Points Wine Spectator
2016 FAY Cabernet Sauvignon
Red currant and plum puree flavors stream through, with well-focused structure underneath keeping this moving along as savory, floral and mineral hints kick in on the finish. Very stylish. Drink now through 2035. 3,750 cases made. –JM
March 2020
91 Points JamesSuckling.com
2016 FAY Cabernet Sauvignon
A fruity red with a lovely balance of currant and dark-berry character to the nose and palate. Medium to full body, medium tannins and a balanced, fruity finish. Drink in 2021.
February 2020
93 Points Jeb Dunnuck
2016 ARTEMIS Cabernet Sauvignon
Ripe blackberries, black cherries, spice, and a beautiful floral quality all emerge from this medium to full-bodied effort. With some creamy oak, sweet tannins, and good purity, it’s a pleasure-bent red to drink over the coming 10-15 years.
February 2019
91 Points Wine Enthusiast
2016 ARCADIA VINEYARD Chardonnay
From a Coombsville-area vineyard, this is an elegant, firmly textured and structured white, floral in apple blossom and pear. The flavors follow suit, showing an integrated full-bodied approach that is both balanced and substantial. —V.B.
June 2019
91 Points Wine Enthusiast
2016 KARIA Chardonnay
This is the producer’s cooler-climate offering of the variety—a steely, classically structured wine that has crisp well-defined apple, melon and pear. —V.B.
June 2019
93 Points Wine Enthusiast
2015 ARCADIA VINEYARD Chardonnay
This is half-barrel fermented and half fermented in stainless steel. It’s gritty and expansive on the luxurious palate and well-made, offering layers of apple, pear and melon with a tease of anise on the lengthy full-bodied finish. —V.B.
April 2018
93 PointsVinous Media
2010 CASK 23 Cabernet Sauvignon
Lovely inner-mouth energy and lift here; nothing heavy or sweet about this wine. Finishes with very smooth tannins and subtle floral/earthy persistence and lift. This very subtle, laid-back wine is at the beginning of its peak drinking plane. Really dances on the palate.
May 2020
93 Points The Wine Advocate
2007 CASK 23 Cabernet Sauvignon
A nose of warm red and black plums, blackcurrant jelly, blueberry preserves and dried Provence herbs with suggestions of cedar chest, underbrush and new leather. Medium to full-bodied, the herb-laced black fruit fills the mouth, marked by a refreshing line and finely grained tannins, finishing with a compelling mineral edge.
August 2018
