No matter what time of year, we can always enjoy a well-made glass of Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. The region’s signature variety continues to show why the northern Californian region is ideal for crafting well-rounded, bold expressions of the variety, like each of these stellar selections. We suggest throwing a ribeye on the grill or slow-roasting a beef tenderloin and opening one of these beauties up this weekend. #Cheers

Few things are as lovely as sipping a wine from Lail Vineyards, expertly crafted by Winemaker Phillip Melka. The winery’s signature red wine, J. Daniel Cuvée, is named after one of the fathers of Napa Valley wine, John Daniel, Jr., and owner, Robin Lail’s father. The Cabernet Sauvignon consistently delivers a product Daniel would be proud to put his name on, which is especially fitting for Father’s Day. It is expressive and pronounced while simultaneously providing a delicate refinement that makes the palate smile with enjoyment.

The signature wine of Napa Valley’s Moone-Tsai, Cor Leonis, reveals a textured, highly structured, and concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon from select vineyards in Pritchard Hill, Coombsville, and St. Helena, bringing mountain and valley fruit together. Layers of ripe cherry, cassis, blackberry, and licorice meld with dark chocolate, nutmeg, graphite, and espresso, with a lengthy, lush finish and velvety tannins. Enjoy this wine with hearty cuts of stewed or grilled beef, lamb, or hard cheeses.

The 2021 release of Flora Springs’ signature red blend, Trilogy, revamps the winery’s focus, becoming decidedly more focused on providing a premium product with lower volumes, creating wines with concentration and elegance. Though the selection is a blend of Bordeaux red varieties, including touches of Petit Verdot and Merlot, instead of only Cabernet Sauvignon, the taste truly represents Napa Valley. Layers of black cherry, graphite, cassis, black plum, and espresso mingle together to create a wine with authentic character. Pair this beauty with grilled steaks, braised short ribs, or roasted portobello mushrooms.

 

Tucked into the gently sloping hills of the Yountville AVA, Brion Wine’s Sleeping Lady Vineyard includes a mix of alluvial soils with cobblestones, perfect for crafting expressive Cabernet Sauvignon from a variety of clones, creating a wine that is elevated and elegant. The wine opens with ripe black fruits, harmonizing with dusty tannins, wet leaves, and toasted spice. Enjoy this incredibly delicious wine by sipping it slowly, savoring every moment.

From the hillsides of the Stags Leap District, Cliff Lede Vineyards crafts its Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from fruit grown within its estate home vineyard of Stags Leap and its estate vineyard in Calistoga, along with grower fruit from Napa’s neighboring regions of Rutherford, Oakville, and Howell Mountain. Calistoga is decidedly warmer than Stags Leap, effortlessly ripening fruit to its full potential. It marries with the mineral-rich, earthy, dusty the other regions provide. The resulting wine is a well-balanced blend of grapes with blackberry, black cherry, dark chocolate, and crushed stone, with an earthy backbone and well-integrated tannins.

From Sullivan Rutherford Estate, the winery’s Coeur de Vigne Bordeaux-style blend brings together a harmonious blend of predominantly Merlot with Cabernet Sauvignon and a hint of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot grown in the estate vineyard within the Rutherford AVA. After aging for 20 months in French oak, of which 55% is new, the well-balanced wine shines with notes of plum, cherry, wild berry, and a hint of white pepper toasted warm spice and chocolate. The palate is smooth and mouth-coating, coaxing you to enjoy sip after each delightful sip.

St. Helena’s Turnbull Winery has been a staple of the community for over 40 years, crafting quality wines with richness and character. The Amoenus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is lush, opulent, and ready to be enjoyed with beautifully balanced fruit, acidity, and tannin. From sun-drenched vines growing within Calistoga, the well-rounded wine opens with a release of wildflower, violet, and cherry blossom aromas, leading to elevated layers of blackberries, toasted vanilla, and dark chocolate, leading to a lingering finish.

From a blend of vineyard sites dotted throughout Napa, Frank Family Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon reveals the versatility of wines crafted from the Bordeaux variety, creating a profile that pairs harmoniously well with anything from grilled meats, chicken, salmon, or vegetables. Blending 87% Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, the wine ages 20 months in partially new French oak barrels and opens with wildflowers, blue and blackberry, and cherry notes. The back palate reveals layers of toasted spice, leather, mocha, and vanilla. Though concentrated, the wine is easily approachable upon release, making it an ideal option for any summer barbecue you may be hosting this season.

Duckhorn Winery is one of Napa’s historic brands that began over 50 years ago, and since the winery has spurred sister properties like Paraduxx, Migration, and Decoy (you will notice the bird theme across the brands). Thankfully, each delivers varietally correct selections that sing of the regions they are from. The classic Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon marries red and blue fruit with touches of graphite, leather, licorice, and spice, with hints of toasted vanilla on the finish that come together harmoniously to deliver a lovely representation of the valley consistently.

For Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon lovers, there is often a debate about which style of fruit is better, mountain fruit or valley floor. For Mt. Brave Wines, it is 100% mountain fruit, as the earthy, dense, well-balanced, yet bold wine hails from the rugged, rustic, steep vineyards on Mount Viader. The wine has textured structure and vibrancy, showing blue and black fruits, dried leather and leaves, graphite, and toasted spice with length, balance, and easy drinkability.