Barlow Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga, Napa Valley 2012
Deep, dark garnet red with hints of purple. This Cab is very aromatic boasting scents of ripe blackberry, cassis, violets, plum, and black cherry with accents of allspice, anise, vanilla, and forest floor. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a dense and brawny core of fruit that is somewhat restrained but blossoms with aeration. The spice, earth, and fruit marriage is seamless with lingering notes of oak and cigar box. Deep and dense with loads of flavors that both emerge with ease and those that are locked deep inside not revealing themselves for years to come while generous layers of tannins offer structure and length. $55 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Barlow Barrouge Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga, Napa Valley 2012
Deep, garnet red with a good dose of purple as well. The nose is ever so charming with waves of cassis, blackberry, and plum with generous accents of leather, cigar box, allspice, clove, oak, and forest floor. The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a silky, complex entry with a dense fruit-driven core that lingers on and on with vibrant notes of sweet oak and elegant brown baking spices on the finish. Full-bodied and ideally balanced with great length and depth that best reveals itself with an hour of aeration. $50 – 5 Stars – 97 points
Summers Estate Andriana's Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon California 2013
Deepeset, darkest ruby red to purple color. The nose is filled with the scents of black plum, cassis, blackberry, and tart cherry with a generous dose of brown baking spices lead by allspice with rich notes of cedar, earth, and toasted oak as well. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering a dense and concentrated core of ripe fruit flanked by spice and oak with a hint of black pepper. Ideally balanced, medium to full-bodied, and intense with ripe fruit held in check by tart fruits, bright acidity, and oak. $19.99 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
Bogle Cabernet Sauvignon California 2013
Deep, bright ruby red. The nose is filled with the scents of black fruits with ripe red and black cherry supported by accents of earth, toasted oak, vanilla, clove, allspice, and fresh green herbs. The palate is equal to the aromatics delivering a lush fruit core with dry oak and spice accents that give way to a mild green, live herbs garden note. Medium to full-bodied with lush, silky fruit and a fresh dose of acidity and soft, minimal tannins. $12 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
Cornerstone Cellars Michael's Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2012
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekDeepest, darkest ruby red color. The rich and dense fruit is the first thing that grabs your attention. Rich, concentrated black cherries take the lead followed by cassis, raspberry, black plum, and wild red berries are supported by a melange of brown spices, earth, and toasted oak. The palate echoes the nose delivering a rich, concentrated fruit core that is framed by spice, black pepper, leather, oak, and dusty tannins. It's simply gorgeous and what every Napa Cabernet lover is seeking. Full-bodied with deep, concentrated fruit and spice flavors displaying perfect balance and incredible length. The only down side is that this bold and wine drinks so well now that it won't be properly cellared allowing it to show its full character. $75 – 5 Stars – 97 points
Concannon Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles 2013
Deep, dark garnet to ruby red color. The aromatics are dense with loads of red and black cherry, cassis, plum, and blackberry with supporting notes of allspice, nutmeg, cocoa nibs, and sweet vanilla-soaked oak. The palate echoes the nose delivering a lush and chewy fruit-driven core with a generous dose of sweet spice and oak to round out the flavors. This is a classic California Cabernet offering rich and jammy fruit and soft, juicy tannins with just enough acid to keep it from being heavy. $20 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
Lucas & Lewellen Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Ynez Valley 2012
Deep, brilliant ruby red color. The nose reveals a dense Cabernet with waves of ripe blackberry, raspberry and black cherry with hints of cassis, vanilla, and toasted oak. The palate echoes the nose offering a rich and dense fruit core with accents of mineral, earth, brown baking spices, and oak. Wonderfully rich and full while being dry and ideally balanced with vibrant acidity and moderate tannins. $30 – 4 Stars – 93 points
Donati Family Vineyard Ezio Cabernet Sauvignon Paicines 2012
Deep, dark garnet red with accents of ruby. The nose is vibrant with scents of forest floor, red and black berries, toasted oak, and loads of brown baking spices and hints of cedar. The palate confirms the nose delivering a rich and generous berry-driven core with notes of spice, earth, and oak in support. Big and bold while being perfectly balanced offering a fresh dose of acidity, soft tannins, and long, lingering flavors finishing with sweet spice notes. $40 – 5 Stars – 97 points
Donati Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Paicines 2012
Deep, dark ruby red color. The nose is filled with the scents of ripe, sweet cherry with more red berries and accents of vanilla, allspice, and toasted oak. The palate is in full accord with the nose with a lush and silky fruit-driven core with generous brown spice notes, vanilla tinged oak, and hints of cassis. Medium to full-bodied with generous flavors with a good balance and little to no discernible tannins. $25 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Hudson Shah Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2012
Deepest, darkest ruby red color. Lovely ripe red and black fruits (with red cherry and blackberry battling fore the lead) fill the nose with accents of mineral, spice, and soft earth notes. The palate confirms the nose delivering a juicy, ripe fruit core with tart berries, brown spices, and mineral in support offering complexity. Full bodies and generous with silky fruit and complex spice notes adding interest with little to no tannins in the mix. $14 – 4 Stars – 91 points
