Freddy R. Troya

9.3

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. — 3 days ago

Seth Masterson

9.0

Perfectly ripe red fruit condition, Red plum and red cherry. Secondary black plum.
Texture is rounded and soft with a good acid balance.

Too much new oak for my preference, it distracts from the quality of the fruit. — 7 months ago

Louis Martin

9.1

One of our favorites wineries, this vintage is a bit drier and lighter than the 2020 (which we preferred slightly better), probably a bit young to open, best if paired with a well seasoned and juicy/fatty steak. — 5 days ago

Gijs jakobs

9.5

Beste wit, met een eindeloze afdronk — 2 months ago

Walt M Britt

9.4

Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley — 7 months ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.0

Fantastic Cab Franc! Deep ruby color. Aromas of strawberry, raspberry and Anaheim pepper skin. Smooth flavors of dark and red fruit, oak with a tannic finish. — 8 months ago

Wulf Losee

9.3

Tobacco and a hint of smokiness (in a good way) on the nose. Faint hint of red fruit on the front. Medium tannic structure — surprising for a Napa Valley Cab but with really lovely vibrancy. Light mineral highnotes on the finish. Lovely. — a month ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

Gratifying Oak Knoll #napavalley #merlot - medium plus body, calibrated acidity, some vanilla and toasty oak notes so it’s pretty young but well executed Merlot. My hot take - Merlot at the $50 retail mark will outperform Cabs at this price point. — 5 months ago

Charlie Frago

9.1

Great color , moderate fruit and solid tannins. Similar to Dragons Tooth. Very enjoyable.  — 8 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.1

Vintage 2023 | beautiful balanced refinement — 8 months ago