Cornerstone Cellars

Stepping Stone Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

9.162 ratings
9.011 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 Kline

Pine-lined pond and glass factory notes intermingle with spearmint, red plum, and blackberry-grape that injects itself into the forest and emerges black currant, while pulling all the aforementioned behind her. Natural and clean aromatics here with cinnamon the only oak influence. Smooth but dense opening, bringing dark chocolate, black Darjeeling, intense graphite behind cassis, mint-pencil, vanilla infused tobacco, burnt raisin, walnut, and black sesame. Liquid, astral beauty in a bottle. Magnificent. #cornerstonecellars #napavalley2012 #Napa #wine #cab #cabernetsauvignon #cabsauv4life #cawine #2012vintage

Pine-lined pond and glass factory notes intermingle with spearmint, red plum, and blackberry-grape that injects itself into the forest and emerges black currant, while pulling all the aforementioned behind her. Natural and clean aromatics here with cinnamon the only oak influence. Smooth but dense opening, bringing dark chocolate, black Darjeeling, intense graphite behind cassis, mint-pencil, vanilla infused tobacco, burnt raisin, walnut, and black sesame. Liquid, astral beauty in a bottle. Magnificent. #cornerstonecellars #napavalley2012 #Napa #wine #cab #cabernetsauvignon #cabsauv4life #cawine #2012vintage

Oct 7th, 2018
Rob Brobst III

Dense and plush fruit. A touch tannic however, the tannins are mouthwatering. A generous dose of toasted oak is in there too!

Dense and plush fruit. A touch tannic however, the tannins are mouthwatering. A generous dose of toasted oak is in there too!

Jun 20th, 2018
Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.0

Nice nose. Dust, some integrated oak. Restrained. Palate is ripe and rich but elegant and well balanced. Nice creamy texture yet no way takes away from nice acid on the back. Juicy and ready to go. My 2nd Fave next to pinot 11.

Nice nose. Dust, some integrated oak. Restrained. Palate is ripe and rich but elegant and well balanced. Nice creamy texture yet no way takes away from nice acid on the back. Juicy and ready to go. My 2nd Fave next to pinot 11.

2 people found it helpfulNov 1st, 2014
Christine Havens

Inky and lush, the 2012 Cornerstone Cellars Stepping Stone Cabernet has a nose that seemingly builds with intensity, with dulcet tones of crème de cassis, blackberry financiers, incense, dusty earth, and vanilla leading into an expansive wine on entry. Velvety, fine-grained tannin, and a lovely creaminess at the core lends weight and richness. Finishes with a pinch of tellicherry peppercorn and cedar. 14.7% ABV | Sample

Inky and lush, the 2012 Cornerstone Cellars Stepping Stone Cabernet has a nose that seemingly builds with intensity, with dulcet tones of crème de cassis, blackberry financiers, incense, dusty earth, and vanilla leading into an expansive wine on entry. Velvety, fine-grained tannin, and a lovely creaminess at the core lends weight and richness. Finishes with a pinch of tellicherry peppercorn and cedar. 14.7% ABV | Sample

Nov 20th, 2015
Randy Fuller

The 2012 Stepping Stone Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is opaque in the glass. Aromas of cassis and sweet oak spice dominate the nose, while traces of anise and pencil shavings poke through. The palate is so rich, it doesn't have to dress up. But it does so anyway. Black and blue berries are in front, with allspice, nutmeg, and tobacco sweetening the deal. Add great tannic structure to the package and I'm all in. This is a superb wine, whether you are a Cab fan or not.

The 2012 Stepping Stone Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is opaque in the glass. Aromas of cassis and sweet oak spice dominate the nose, while traces of anise and pencil shavings poke through. The palate is so rich, it doesn't have to dress up. But it does so anyway. Black and blue berries are in front, with allspice, nutmeg, and tobacco sweetening the deal. Add great tannic structure to the package and I'm all in. This is a superb wine, whether you are a Cab fan or not.

Sep 5th, 2015
Andrew Healy

Infanticide, I know. Got 5+ years left to go!

Infanticide, I know. Got 5+ years left to go!

Jun 22nd, 2014
John Hyde

Deep color. In the nose, suggestions of eucalyptus and tobacco. In the mouth, medium acidity, good structure? Flavors of vanilla oak, blueberry, cigar box. Good balance, complexity, and lingering finish. I remain impressed by the quality of wines produced by Cornerstone at both midlevel and high end price points.

Deep color. In the nose, suggestions of eucalyptus and tobacco. In the mouth, medium acidity, good structure? Flavors of vanilla oak, blueberry, cigar box. Good balance, complexity, and lingering finish. I remain impressed by the quality of wines produced by Cornerstone at both midlevel and high end price points.

Oct 28th, 2013
Dale Scott

Outstanding yet unassuming wine...loved it

Outstanding yet unassuming wine...loved it

Jan 29th, 2021
Mohit Rastogi

Really loved it. Sweeter side and fruity and light tannins. Not as fruity as a Pinot though and more body

Really loved it. Sweeter side and fruity and light tannins. Not as fruity as a Pinot though and more body

Nov 22nd, 2019
Chris Klebba

Ripe, purple lift oak

Ripe, purple lift oak

May 5th, 2017