One of California's premier Syrah producers. Arnot-Roberts consistently show how California can make deep and balanced wines without heavy extraction or alcohol.
Ashes & Diamonds' flagship full bodied Red blend uses Napa's forgotten grapes: Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Grown on their own vineyard, by Massican founder Dan Petroski, this is one of Napa's best wines.
This bold Cabernet Sauvignon from Diana Snowden Seysses shows how great the grape can be (it sometimes seems to be the Royale with Cheese of wine - tasty, but usually the same anywhere in the world), with cassis, dark cherry, and baking spice aromas while keeping the body, acidity, and tannin in balance.
Bieler Family Born to Run is the culmination of Charles’ last 20 years – piecing together his origin story and tradition-bending blend of two states where he’s been producing wine for a decade-plus each. He had always remarked that the black fruit and structure of Washington Cabernet Sauvignon would be well complimented by the softer, lush, red fruit profile from California. Cross-state blending is rarely done in a quality way, but Charles is un-deterred.
The standard for California's jammy, super-ripe, Cabernet Sauvignon with intense vanilla notes. Unlike, say, Steve Matthiasson, the Wagner family, owners of Caymus, have fought against environmental legislation in NAPA.
From a growing season regarded by Duckhorn's vignerons as near-perfect, this is one to savour, with luscious dark fruit notes and a long, satisfying finish.
