Napa Valley Standout Red Wines featuring Girard, Lithology, Dominus and more!

94pt - The Wine Independent. Black and red currants, blackberry and spearmint mingle with earth, star anise and cardamom. Full-bodied and fine-grained, the palate layers vivid red and black fruit through a long, lively finish.

93pt - James Suckling. Blackberry, black olive, violet and sandalwood shape a soft, juicy palate. Round, creamy tannins lead to a delicious finish lifted by a fresh touch of mint.

93pt - Decanter. Red-black fruit, charcoal, dried herbs and graphite lead into a velvety dark-berry core. Suave tannins frame green peppercorn and sweet paprika before a long, polished finish.

94pt - Decanter. Blackberry and currant jam meet cedarwood spice in this powerful Gaspare Vineyard Cabernet. Full-bodied and intensely layered, with substantial tannins, it finishes long with leather and olive tapenade.

Rated 97 points by James Suckling, the 2023 Napanook is a Yountville / Napa Valley Bordeaux-style red composed of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. It shows blueberry, ash, stones, blackberry, orange peel, chocolate, cedar and polished tannins. Use "red wine" or "Bordeaux-style red" rather than calling it straight Cabernet Sauvignon.

95pt - Decanter. AXR's 2022 Napa Cabernet layers black cherry, plum, cassis and dried violet over dusty minerals, brown spice and powerful tannins with crisp grip.

95pt - James Suckling. Frank Family's Rutherford Reserve combines red and black fruit with violet, espresso and black currant. Mouthwatering acidity and velvet tannins shape a long, polished finish with lift.

Relic's 2022 The Prior Cabernet Franc layers dark cherry, raspberry, spice and chocolate over a lush, seamless palate with a fresh, lifted finish.

95pt - International Wine Report. Anthem's 2019 Mt. Veeder Cabernet layers blackberry, plum and currant with olive, bay leaf, espresso and a long finish.

95+pt - John Gilman. Corison's Napa Cabernet layers red and black fruit with spicy herbs, anise, floral lift and a wet-stone mineral note. The palate is polished and understated, with poised structure.

93pt - Jeb Dunnuck. Alpha Omega's 2022 Napa Valley Cabernet layers blue fruit, cassis, scorched earth and tobacco over seamless texture and a balanced finish.

93pt - Jeb Dunnuck. Napa Cabernet offers red and black fruit with leather, loamy earth and dried herbs. Medium-full body, velvety texture and fine balance shape a long finish.

92pt - Jeb Dunnuck. Black cherry, plum and blackberry meet tobacco, vanilla and polished oak. Firm tannins frame the dark fruit and carry savory spice through a long, focused and confidently structured finish.

Blackberry and black cherry meet wet granite, graphite and savory slow-cooked meat notes. A firm mid-palate leads to a long finish, and time in the glass reveals the depth of this Vaca Ridge Cabernet.

97+pt - California Wine Advisors. Blackberry preserves, fig, dark chocolate and toffee fill this full-bodied Cabernet. A soft, velvety palate shows deep concentration, with creamy oak and cocoa lingering on the finish.

93+pt - Wine Advocate. Baked black cherry, warm plum and cassis meet cedar, cigar box, sandalwood, potpourri and star anise. This Cabernet-led Napa blend carries layered richness through a structured, lingering finish.

99pt - James Suckling. 2023 Dominus Napa Valley 750ML layers black currant, pencil shavings, sandalwood, wet earth, forest floor and violet. Ultra-fine tannins create a polished, caressing and persistent finish.

100pt - James Suckling. The 2021 Cariad layers graphite, black currant, black olive, orange peel, dried violet and iodine. Tight and polished, it carries crushed-stone minerality over a seamless cashmere texture.