Brand

Brio Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

9.3118 ratings
9.232 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy
Top Notes For
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Brio is made from the young vines of the Estate.

On the nose, class & distinction. Nice, bright, cherry fruit. Blackberries, dark cherries, plum, baked strawberries & a touch of rhubarb, some pomegranate and cranberries. Nicely layered baking spices; vanilla, soft clove with bright red florals.

The body is full with pronounced dusty, firm tannins. The structure, tension are still big. Mouthfeel beautiful. Blackberries, dark cherries, plum, baked strawberries & a touch of rhubarb, some pomegranate and cranberries. Nicely layered baking spices; vanilla, soft clove and bright red amazing florals. Perfect acidity. The finish will be beautiful but, it needs 6-8 years to soften and properly integrate. With that much time in bottle, the score will likely jump a point or two. As well as, become far more complex.

Photos of; The winery and tasting room, their beautiful Pritchard Hill soil structure around the property as viewed from their cellar, our tasting set up and their Estate vines as viewed from the tasting room.

Brio is made from the young vines of the Estate.

On the nose, class & distinction. Nice, bright, cherry fruit. Blackberries, dark cherries, plum, baked strawberries & a touch of rhubarb, some pomegranate and cranberries. Nicely layered baking spices; vanilla, soft clove with bright red florals.

The body is full with pronounced dusty, firm tannins. The structure, tension are still big. Mouthfeel beautiful. Blackberries, dark cherries, plum, baked strawberries & a touch of rhubarb, some pomegranate and cranberries. Nicely layered baking spices; vanilla, soft clove and bright red amazing florals. Perfect acidity. The finish will be beautiful but, it needs 6-8 years to soften and properly integrate. With that much time in bottle, the score will likely jump a point or two. As well as, become far more complex.

Photos of; The winery and tasting room, their beautiful Pritchard Hill soil structure around the property as viewed from their cellar, our tasting set up and their Estate vines as viewed from the tasting room.

Jan 28th, 2019
Greg Gregory

Pop and pour. Truly beautiful for an "entry level" wine. More feminine than the flagship BRAND Cab, but with enough structure to last for a decade or more and will even improve with about 2 to 4 years of aging. Why wait though!

Pop and pour. Truly beautiful for an "entry level" wine. More feminine than the flagship BRAND Cab, but with enough structure to last for a decade or more and will even improve with about 2 to 4 years of aging. Why wait though!

2 people found it helpfulMar 30th, 2015
Bob Bryden

Founder The Lake Sommelier, LLC, Author Wine Talk

9.5

Complex and multi-layered. Nipping at the heels of it's big brother "Brand." Too good to be a second wine. Amazing depth and concentration.

Complex and multi-layered. Nipping at the heels of it's big brother "Brand." Too good to be a second wine. Amazing depth and concentration.

1 person found it helpfulDec 27th, 2015
J. Eduardo Vazquez

J. had this 9 years ago

J. had this 9 years ago

1 person found it helpfulJan 27th, 2015
Carl Fischer

"Second" label I think not; this is a stellar wine period. Rich black fruits, chocolate, cloves and vanilla dominate the silky smooth palate. Pop and pour, it was delicious now (though a touch tannic) and I can see it being delicious in a decade as well.

"Second" label I think not; this is a stellar wine period. Rich black fruits, chocolate, cloves and vanilla dominate the silky smooth palate. Pop and pour, it was delicious now (though a touch tannic) and I can see it being delicious in a decade as well.

May 25th, 2017
Bob Bryden

Founder The Lake Sommelier, LLC, Author Wine Talk

9.5

Hard to believe this the 2nd wine from Brand. Silky smooth, vanilla, cloves, chocolate, luscious ripe fruit and long finish. Easily in my top 10 Napa Cabs.

Hard to believe this the 2nd wine from Brand. Silky smooth, vanilla, cloves, chocolate, luscious ripe fruit and long finish. Easily in my top 10 Napa Cabs.

Dec 3rd, 2016
Carl Fischer

A great pop and pour wine. Hard to believe it's a "second". Really enjoyable with abundant fruit and well-integrated tannins. Really delicious.

A great pop and pour wine. Hard to believe it's a "second". Really enjoyable with abundant fruit and well-integrated tannins. Really delicious.

Sep 29th, 2016
Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.3

Nice surprise to try at the Oakton Wine Shop. Dark ruby red. Attack of dark fruits and spices. Heavy tannins (8/10) with a full body and long finish. So young. Drink till 2030.

Nice surprise to try at the Oakton Wine Shop. Dark ruby red. Attack of dark fruits and spices. Heavy tannins (8/10) with a full body and long finish. So young. Drink till 2030.

Jun 29th, 2016
Jordan Gianelli

Really lovely wine with nice acid and a tannin forward approach. Take this to dinner or feel free to hold on to it for years to come.

Really lovely wine with nice acid and a tannin forward approach. Take this to dinner or feel free to hold on to it for years to come.

Jan 28th, 2016
Nathaniel DiMaggio

A lot of bottle variation on these guys. This is my 5th bottle in 3 weeks. Beautiful bright blue fruit. Yummy!

A lot of bottle variation on these guys. This is my 5th bottle in 3 weeks. Beautiful bright blue fruit. Yummy!

Aug 18th, 2015