Linda Lista Chard. Genius — 3 months ago
Clear, deep ruby to purple in color; on the nose, it's clean with pronounced primary and secondary aromas of black plums, graphite, and green peppers; on the palate, it's dry with medium acidity, medium tannins, medium alcohol, full body, and pronounced primary and secondary aromas of blackberries, blueberries, tar, and clay pots with a long finish. This wine is balanced and intense. Overall, I rate it as very good. Nellie likes it too. — 5 months ago
What a wine at 11 years! So much lemon, seagrass, peaches, a bit of stone, some lemon curd. It coats the palate. Interestingly it opened up with more fruit over 2 hours. It is so freaking good. It’s really like a fresh lemon tart with a tiny bit of cream and the crust with some orchard fruit and the at the ocean. Unbelievable. I loved this wine 8 years ago and love it more now. — 10 months ago
Excellent — a year ago
Super versatile Pinot! Nice acidity, very balanced. Great table wine — 6 years ago
The 2023 is a ruby red, full bodied Pinot with a smooth silky finish. Paired with a salad and grilled salmon. — a month ago
Deep Ruby with aromas of ripe fresh berry fruits, spice and herb notes, has a splash of Merlot added to the Malbec. On the palate flavors of cherry and blackberry with notes of oak and black pepper notes. Fine soft tannins, great balance with acidity, long finish ending with juicy fruits and mineral notes. Good value! — 3 months ago
Very smooth.
Buttery, begging for a bite of steak. Lighter on the tannins than many Malbecs, slight acidity softens it and masks the high proof. — 5 months ago
Nickel & Nickel – Vaca Vista Vineyard – Cab Sauv– 2022
Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley, California 🇺🇸
Overview
A single-vineyard Napa Cabernet sourced from the cool and elegant Oak Knoll District. Fermented and aged with the classic Nickel & Nickel precision, this expression favors balance, red-to-dark fruit purity, and structure over sheer power. A modern Napa style that emphasizes approachability without sacrificing depth.
Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, cassis, plum, and violet, with cedar, vanilla, graphite, and a touch of baking spice. Subtle oak integration allows the fruit and minerality to shine.
Mouthfeel
Medium-plus in body, polished, and cohesive. Fresh acidity, supple tannins, and a graceful arc from entry to finish. Not a bruiser — a refined, cooler-climate profile that stays lively and lifted.
Food Pairings
Flat iron steak, short ribs, mushroom risotto, grilled lamb chops, herb-crusted pork tenderloin, or aged cheeses.
Verdict
A beautifully balanced, site-driven Napa Cabernet that delivers both sophistication and drinkability. Finessed rather than forceful, and a strong example of why Oak Knoll continues to be one of Napa’s most exciting AVAs for Cabernet.
Did You Know?
Nickel & Nickel was founded by the Far Niente family with a mission to produce 100% varietal, single-vineyard wines, showcasing Napa’s terroir with clarity. Oak Knoll is one of Napa Valley’s coolest sub-AVAs, producing elegant, aromatic reds with natural acidity and restraint.
🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
Oak Knoll being a single-vineyard expression from this sub-AVA makes it one of the easiest, most easygoing Cabernets from the Napa floor, and I always like to have it as an opener when pouring more intense Napa reds. A perfect warm-up that sets the stage beautifully. — 7 months ago
Costco $14.99, nice. Buymore — 4 years ago
From 3L
Core of red with light brickish edges.
Nose is pretty. Dryish cherries to cherries, strawberries, blackberries flow underneath, raspberries, some fresh rhubarb, notes of cherry Jolly Rancher, red to mid berry cola, some soapy baking powder notes, tobacco, used leather, (might be the glass), soft, mid intensity baking spices, vanilla-in, soft oak shavings, moist clay, limestone, dry top soils, red flowers, red roses & candied violets.
The palate is ripe, juicy; sweet & tart cherries, strawberries, some black berries, dry pomegranate, somewhat stewed/spiced plum, blackberries with circling raspberries, nice mid spice, dry tobacco, leather, grilled meats, soft, mid intensity baking spices, vanilla-in, soft,dry, oak shavings, moist clay, limestone, volcanics, hints of white pepper, dry leaves, dry top soils, red flowers, red roses & candied violets, excellent acidy with a well made, balanced, biggish structure & tension, good length finish that lasts minutes and fall on spice & minerals.
1800 bottles made and only 6 3L’s. This is one of From 3L. — 2 months ago
Very light, smooth — 6 months ago
Pretty deep , almost opaque , thin rim . Quite wild , dried herbs , touch of rounded red fruits . More fruit on the palate , quite ripe red fruits , quite soft but fine , nice balanced acidity . Slightly warm. Quite good length though quite dry finish . Nice now , wouldn’t want to leave this too much longer however . — 4 years ago
Does not taste like a Pinot. But it is delicious. Hefty, but not tannic or spicy. Dark berry flavor, but not super earthy — 4 years ago
Crisp nose of unripe pear, honey and lime on the nose. Baked honey crisp apple, white flower, slight petrol on the palate. Lovely minerality and sense of terroir in this wine. — 6 years ago
Haelee Kim
Another Costco one. It’s good, I would get again. — 8 days ago