Alta Nova
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
This is a nice Cabernet from Napa Valley. Showing red and black fruits with earth, wood, spices, peppercorn, green herbs, tobacco and chocolates.
Medium bodied with medium acidity.
Needs time to open up, but good right out of the bottle.
Good by itself or with food and easy drinking. Doesn't show like a big Napa Cabernet. Very drinkable.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
88 points.
$70
This is a nice Cabernet from Napa Valley. Showing red and black fruits with earth, wood, spices, peppercorn, green herbs, tobacco and chocolates.
Medium bodied with medium acidity.
Needs time to open up, but good right out of the bottle.
Good by itself or with food and easy drinking. Doesn't show like a big Napa Cabernet. Very drinkable.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
88 points.
$70
2023 vintage, well balanced, medium acidity, heavy aromas of plum and blackberry on the nose, with almost a faint hint candied sweetness at the end. Slightly chewy on the initial opening, but after 30 minutes it opened up nicely. Interesting color and tone for a Napa Cab. Very enjoyable, highly recommend for the cost.
2023 vintage, well balanced, medium acidity, heavy aromas of plum and blackberry on the nose, with almost a faint hint candied sweetness at the end. Slightly chewy on the initial opening, but after 30 minutes it opened up nicely. Interesting color and tone for a Napa Cab. Very enjoyable, highly recommend for the cost.
Mar 12th, 2026
Alta Nova Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 — Napa Valley, California 🇺🇸
Overview
A polished, concentrated Napa Cabernet crafted with finesse under winemaker Britt Richards. Ripe red and dark fruit lead the profile, supported by firm structure, layered depth, and well-judged oak. Powerful yet controlled, delivering intensity without heaviness or excess.
Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, cassis, plum, raspberry compote, cedar, vanilla, cocoa, baking spice, toasted oak.
Mouthfeel
Medium-plus to full-bodied with confident structure. Grippy but refined tannins, fresh acidity, and a punchy, energetic core. Dense and multilayered while remaining balanced and composed. Long, polished finish.
Food Pairings
Grilled ribeye, lamb chops, braised short ribs, mushroom risotto, aged cheddar.
Verdict
A serious yet approachable Napa Cab that favors elegance over excess. Concentrated, complex, and thoughtfully built, strength with precision rather than volume.
🍷 Personal Pick
This is my kind of Napa: structured, grippy with grace, and multilayered. Punchy in the right way, power with finesse, not a fruit bomb. Credit to the winemaking hand of Britt Richards here.
Did You Know?
A new wave of Napa winemakers is prioritizing balance, earlier picking, and restrained oak to highlight freshness and terroir over sheer ripeness.
Alta Nova Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 — Napa Valley, California 🇺🇸
Overview
A polished, concentrated Napa Cabernet crafted with finesse under winemaker Britt Richards. Ripe red and dark fruit lead the profile, supported by firm structure, layered depth, and well-judged oak. Powerful yet controlled, delivering intensity without heaviness or excess.
Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, cassis, plum, raspberry compote, cedar, vanilla, cocoa, baking spice, toasted oak.
Mouthfeel
Medium-plus to full-bodied with confident structure. Grippy but refined tannins, fresh acidity, and a punchy, energetic core. Dense and multilayered while remaining balanced and composed. Long, polished finish.
Food Pairings
Grilled ribeye, lamb chops, braised short ribs, mushroom risotto, aged cheddar.
Verdict
A serious yet approachable Napa Cab that favors elegance over excess. Concentrated, complex, and thoughtfully built, strength with precision rather than volume.
🍷 Personal Pick
This is my kind of Napa: structured, grippy with grace, and multilayered. Punchy in the right way, power with finesse, not a fruit bomb. Credit to the winemaking hand of Britt Richards here.
Did You Know?
A new wave of Napa winemakers is prioritizing balance, earlier picking, and restrained oak to highlight freshness and terroir over sheer ripeness.
pleasant nose, dry, acidic, vanilla, cinnimon, has a punch
pleasant nose, dry, acidic, vanilla, cinnimon, has a punch
Apr 14th, 2025This is flagship Cabernet Sauvignon from Alta Nova Vinyards in Napa Valley, CA. a masterpiece from a female winemaker, Britt Richards who has the finesse of vinifying wines from myriad California terroirs (mostly mountains). Electrifying aromas of black forrest, leaves, earth and graphite. It makes an opening to the palate with punchy tannins, elevated but not overpowering acidity and silky, very silky tannins. Polyphenols are super-balanced, it can challenge any mountain-like heavy Cab from Napa as a great contender. Loved the elegant finish. Needs to open for over 2 hours to appreciate its potential and savory notes.
This is flagship Cabernet Sauvignon from Alta Nova Vinyards in Napa Valley, CA. a masterpiece from a female winemaker, Britt Richards who has the finesse of vinifying wines from myriad California terroirs (mostly mountains). Electrifying aromas of black forrest, leaves, earth and graphite. It makes an opening to the palate with punchy tannins, elevated but not overpowering acidity and silky, very silky tannins. Polyphenols are super-balanced, it can challenge any mountain-like heavy Cab from Napa as a great contender. Loved the elegant finish. Needs to open for over 2 hours to appreciate its potential and savory notes.
Delicious. Was a gift. Tried for first time. Will buy this one.
Delicious. Was a gift. Tried for first time. Will buy this one.
Dec 28th, 2023
Paired with grilled London broil, baby arugula salad, and roasted sweet potatoes.  Love this wine! Pleasantly surprised with the complexity and depth. 
Paired with grilled London broil, baby arugula salad, and roasted sweet potatoes.  Love this wine! Pleasantly surprised with the complexity and depth. 
Jan 21st, 2023