California Wine Advisors

A Cabernet of opulence and precision, Fayard has delivered a masterpiece from the Martinez vineyard next to Ovid on Pritchard Hill. On the nose, it unfurls with an luxurious bouquet of juicy, ripe blackberry and cassis intertwined with subtle herbs and citrus zest that adds lift and brightness. The fleshy, velvety texture delivers a vibrant core...

Another majestic beauty from the master craftsmen at Silver Oak, the 2019 Alexander Valley Cabernet blend features opulent dark fruit that will impress longtime devotees plus a silky smooth texture that bodes well for savvy collectors. Deliciously integrated oak** provides an exquisite background to enchanting flavors of crème de cassis, dark plums, baking spices and...

This velvety smooth Cabernet from Napa’s unanimously celebrated 2018 vintage is truly dazzling as it reminds us of Cult Cabernets such as Harlan or Shafer Hillside Select. The bouquet allures with notes of new leather, cigar box, and freshly ground espresso. Flashy and fun notes of brambleberries, black currant, cassis and Lindt dark chocolate waltz...

This silky smooth Napa Cabernet delivers sumptuous flavors of dark cocoa and fruit including blueberry compote and figs. The supremely delicious finish includes savory baking spices and a hint of creamy coconut. Enjoy this mouth-watering winner now through 2027+.- September 2023

This majestic vintage of Dalla Valle’s flagship blend displays a dense purple color as well as glorious aromas of black and red fruits, smoke, camphor, subtle wood, and exotic spices. After a few years of cellar time, we marveled at the bountiful dark fruit flavors perfectly balanced by ultra-velvety tannins. This brilliantly constructed 2014 is...

Simply stated, this is a big WOW wine! Intensely flavorful with deep dark fruit, a divinely silky smooth texture, and an overall freshness that reminds me of far pricier reds from Bordeaux’s left bank (in prime vintages). Similar to recent vintages, this magnificent effort displays a core of cassis, blackberry, graphite and espresso bean complimented...

Dark, rich, and delicious, the brand new release of Aloft is another winner! After just a few years of cellar time, this boutique production Cabernet blend is displaying a velvety smooth texture,  serious impressive mountain fruit (on steroids) and youthfully prominent tannins. Hints of dark chocolate coated cherries, blackcurrants, baking spices, espresso and vanilla emerge...

This seamless blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and a dash of Cabernet Franc plus Petit Verdot is a testament to the superb quality a blue-chip winery can produce with some of the finest Estate vineyards in America! This captivating new release features nuanced aromatics of black cherry, dark chocolate, and cinnamon impeccably balanced with sophisticated...

Wow, this super luscious red wine broods with aromas of dark chocolate, tobacco, crème de menthe, black currant, and blackberry. This crowd-pleaser is intensely satisfying to sip with its dense mouth-filling texture, robust tannic structure, and brilliant balance. We would normally recommend pairing this complex Cabernet with a bold meal such as a Ribeye, but...

This brand new release from TOR is the first 2021 Napa Cabernet we’ve judged and this classy Cabernet has set the bar high! It tastes supremely serious with its tightly wound dark fruit flavors, hints of caramel, spice box, and tobacco leaf, and superb balance. Its ever-so-present tannins are ripe and structured and give way...