St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon

In 375. Utterly delicious. I would likely not place this in Napa Valley if it were served blind. Very classified growth Bordeaux like. Cassis, a little herbal, gravel. So balanced and nice. On the palate, intense but with great acidity and zero heaviness. Nice to see this on a wine list (which is great here: an embarrassment of riches of well chosen wines (we’re at l’Albatross Brasserie in Cleveland))

Structurally resolved but palate is still led by primary fruit and oak. Good balance and lingering complexity - personally would prefer to revisit this in several years

Drinking surprisingly well considering its youth. Hard to beat Cathy’s style in Napa.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2018 “Napa Valley” pours a near opaque garnet with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with a combination of tart, dark fruits: black currants, blackberries, purple flowers, dried leaf tobacco, and soft baking spices. On the palate the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and full of energy. One of Napa’s true gems. Lovely, distinctive; a wine with personality. Drinking well now but undoubtedly has a long life ahead. 2024 through 2038+.

2018- Vintage (out of a 375ml)rich boysenberry compote , currants , cocoa powder, med tannin, background oak 13.8%ABV

Black cherry, raspberry preserves, eucalyptus, vanilla, cassis and oak. Full-bodied and velvety tannins.

Mint. Classy. Meant to age.

So elegant. Smooth. Enjoyed this over 3 days.

Black cherry, raspberry preserves, eucalyptus, vanilla, blackberry and oak. Full-bodied and velvety tannins.

Black cherry, raspberry preserves, cassis, blackberry and oak. Full-bodied and soft tannins.