California Mountain and Valley Cabernets ft. Heitz, Caymus, and More!

Rated 93 points by James Suckling, this Knights Valley Cabernet is perfumed with red currants, lavender, fresh thyme and graphite. Plush tannins, balanced acidity and flavors of raspberry coulis, red licorice and baking spice make it polished, expressive and ready to enjoy.

Produced from Gallaway Vineyard fruit in Dry Creek Valley, this small-production Cabernet is slightly lighter in texture than the 2021, but still full of blackberry, red currant, mocha and vanilla. Smooth tannins and a 75-case production make it a boutique Sonoma find.

Rated 92 points by Wine Spectator, this Honig Cabernet delivers a dense core of cassis, plum puree and cherry reduction. Licorice snap, violet and a lightly smoky, singed-wood finish give it classic Napa depth and polish.

Rated 92 points by James Suckling, this Duckhorn Cabernet is bright and refined, with blackberry, cassis, fresh tobacco, crushed stone and dark chocolate. The palate is full-bodied and polished, with fine tannins, vibrant fruit and a subtle mineral edge.

Rated 97 points by The Tasting Panel, this small-lot Rutherford Cabernet is expressive, savory and refined. Herbs, spice and forest-floor notes frame bright red strawberry and cranberry, while cola, spice and polished texture carry the finish.

This Napa Cabernet opens with boysenberry, rhubarb and lilac, then moves into cacao powder, brown sugar and vibrant dark fruit. It is rich, expressive and smooth, with enough structure to feel serious while staying easy to enjoy.

Rated 92 points by James Suckling, this Rutherford Bench Reserve shows fresh blackberry, blackcurrant, clove and black olive. Firm, fine tannins and a juicy finish give it a classic Rutherford structure with savory depth.

This Reserve Cabernet opens with concentrated red and black cherry, cassis, cranberry and pomegranate. Violets, rose petal, green olive, anise and peppercorn add savory lift, giving it a polished Napa profile with both fruit and complexity.

This magnum of HALL Napa Valley Cabernet delivers pure dark fruit, grilled herb, French oak and dense structure. The palate is powerful and concentrated, with dark plum, berries, fig, dried tobacco and bay carried by pliable tannins and a lingering finish.

Quixote’s 2018 Stags Leap District Cabernet opens with black cherry, blackberry and baking spice before revealing menthol, bay laurel and herbal undertones. Velvety at first, it builds into a dense, gravelly palate with a long blueberry finish.

Rated 99 points by James Suckling, the 2021 Opus One is an age-worthy Napa Valley red with violets, cherry blossom, blue and black fruit, blackcurrant, blueberry, cinnamon, graphite, fine-grained tannins and a long polished finish.