Harebrained
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
This is a young Cabernet Sauvignon from the Hall family.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate and very fruity.
Showing black fruits with cedar, vanilla, chocolates, coffee, peppercorn, sweet candy, mocha, light earth and herbs.
Nice length on the finish with soft tannins.
Showing nice complexity with a nice mouth feel. Good right out of the bottle and better with airtime.
Needs a few years in the bottle to mature, but already drinking very nicely.
A blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit verdot, 4% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Aged in French Oak barrels for 24 months.
14.9% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$40.
This is a young Cabernet Sauvignon from the Hall family.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate and very fruity.
Showing black fruits with cedar, vanilla, chocolates, coffee, peppercorn, sweet candy, mocha, light earth and herbs.
Nice length on the finish with soft tannins.
Showing nice complexity with a nice mouth feel. Good right out of the bottle and better with airtime.
Needs a few years in the bottle to mature, but already drinking very nicely.
A blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit verdot, 4% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Aged in French Oak barrels for 24 months.
14.9% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$40.
wine at mom & dad’s for Liam’s 14th bday dinner
wine at mom & dad’s for Liam’s 14th bday dinner
Dec 14th, 2025
Harebrained Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸
Overview
A bold Napa Cabernet led by 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, rounded with 6% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. Crafted under Hall Family Wines, this bottling is all about richness, structure, and layered complexity, showing off the precision of modern Napa winemaking.
Aromas & Flavors
Intense notes of dark fruit compote, blackberry, and plum, layered with cocoa, leather, and pepper spice. Earthy undertones bring added dimension, while toasted oak nuances complete the nose and palate.
Mouthfeel
Medium-plus body with supple, well-structured tannins. The finish is long, balanced, and polished, with a firm yet silky texture that benefits from a touch of aeration.
Winemaking Notes
Employs high-tech optical sorting for fruit precision, gravity-flow winemaking, and extended élevage in French oak (22 months, 40% new). This combination yields both power and finesse.
Food Pairing
Ideal alongside grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, lamb chops, or aged hard cheeses. Also shines with earthy mushroom dishes or a dark chocolate finish.
Verdict
A rich, layered Napa Cabernet that captures both intensity and elegance. While approachable now, it rewards a short decant and has the backbone for several more years of aging.
Harebrained Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸
Overview
A bold Napa Cabernet led by 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, rounded with 6% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. Crafted under Hall Family Wines, this bottling is all about richness, structure, and layered complexity, showing off the precision of modern Napa winemaking.
Aromas & Flavors
Intense notes of dark fruit compote, blackberry, and plum, layered with cocoa, leather, and pepper spice. Earthy undertones bring added dimension, while toasted oak nuances complete the nose and palate.
Mouthfeel
Medium-plus body with supple, well-structured tannins. The finish is long, balanced, and polished, with a firm yet silky texture that benefits from a touch of aeration.
Winemaking Notes
Employs high-tech optical sorting for fruit precision, gravity-flow winemaking, and extended élevage in French oak (22 months, 40% new). This combination yields both power and finesse.
Food Pairing
Ideal alongside grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, lamb chops, or aged hard cheeses. Also shines with earthy mushroom dishes or a dark chocolate finish.
Verdict
A rich, layered Napa Cabernet that captures both intensity and elegance. While approachable now, it rewards a short decant and has the backbone for several more years of aging.
Harebrained – Cabernet Sauvignon (Blend) – 2018
Napa Valley AVA – California, USA 🇺🇸
Overview
A bold and expressive Napa Cabernet built on 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. Crafted under Hall Family Wines, this 2018 vintage delivers richness, depth, and a polished structure that reflects the precision of modern Napa Valley winemaking. Expect power wrapped in elegance.
Aromas & Flavors
Dark fruit compote, blackberry, plum, cassis, cocoa, leather, and subtle earthy tones. Hints of oak spice and mocha add a refined depth.
Mouthfeel
Full-bodied with firm yet silky tannins. Long, persistent finish with polished structure and excellent balance between richness and acidity.
Food Pairings
Grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, lamb chops, venison, or aged hard cheeses.
Verdict
A layered Napa Valley Cabernet that shines with intensity, finesse, and depth. Impressive already, but built to evolve beautifully.
Did You Know?
The Harebrained label is produced by Hall Family Wines, a group known for optical berry sorting, gravity-flow cellar design, and long élevage in French oak. While exact details vary by vintage, these techniques are central to the polished, seamless texture seen across their portfolio, including this 2018 Cabernet.
🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
A standout expression of Napa’s valley-floor power with remarkable elegance. The dark fruit, silky tannins, and precision easily rank this among the memorable Cabernets recently tasted from the 2018 vintage, I also rated the 2021, and it also coming along almost as identical as this one. ☝️ cheers!
Harebrained – Cabernet Sauvignon (Blend) – 2018
Napa Valley AVA – California, USA 🇺🇸
Overview
A bold and expressive Napa Cabernet built on 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. Crafted under Hall Family Wines, this 2018 vintage delivers richness, depth, and a polished structure that reflects the precision of modern Napa Valley winemaking. Expect power wrapped in elegance.
Aromas & Flavors
Dark fruit compote, blackberry, plum, cassis, cocoa, leather, and subtle earthy tones. Hints of oak spice and mocha add a refined depth.
Mouthfeel
Full-bodied with firm yet silky tannins. Long, persistent finish with polished structure and excellent balance between richness and acidity.
Food Pairings
Grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, lamb chops, venison, or aged hard cheeses.
Verdict
A layered Napa Valley Cabernet that shines with intensity, finesse, and depth. Impressive already, but built to evolve beautifully.
Did You Know?
The Harebrained label is produced by Hall Family Wines, a group known for optical berry sorting, gravity-flow cellar design, and long élevage in French oak. While exact details vary by vintage, these techniques are central to the polished, seamless texture seen across their portfolio, including this 2018 Cabernet.
🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
A standout expression of Napa’s valley-floor power with remarkable elegance. The dark fruit, silky tannins, and precision easily rank this among the memorable Cabernets recently tasted from the 2018 vintage, I also rated the 2021, and it also coming along almost as identical as this one. ☝️ cheers!
Expected so much more. It was okay, not worth the $45 at Total Wine. Not the big, juicy Cab I expected.
Expected so much more. It was okay, not worth the $45 at Total Wine. Not the big, juicy Cab I expected.
Feb 24th, 2025Consumed 01/2025. 15.5% ALC by Vol. Produced and bottled by Hall Family Wines.  Bold aromas of black cherry, tobacco, and dark chocolate mingle with supple tannins to carry the wine through an elegant finish. 
Consumed 01/2025. 15.5% ALC by Vol. Produced and bottled by Hall Family Wines.  Bold aromas of black cherry, tobacco, and dark chocolate mingle with supple tannins to carry the wine through an elegant finish. 
Feb 9th, 2025
2019 vintage. Gorgeous label, but disappointing wine. Smooth vanilla sweetness detracts from the dark complexity I look for in a cab sauv.
2019 vintage. Gorgeous label, but disappointing wine. Smooth vanilla sweetness detracts from the dark complexity I look for in a cab sauv.
Nov 25th, 2022
Lucious mouth coating, but lacks tannic structure. Easy to drink.
Lucious mouth coating, but lacks tannic structure. Easy to drink.
Aug 13th, 2022