Nickel & Nickel
Vaca Vista Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Oak Knoll, Napa Valley, California, USA
Nickel & Nickel – Vaca Vista Vineyard – Cab Sauv– 2022
Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley, California 🇺🇸
Overview
A single-vineyard Napa Cabernet sourced from the cool and elegant Oak Knoll District. Fermented and aged with the classic Nickel & Nickel precision, this expression favors balance, red-to-dark fruit purity, and structure over sheer power. A modern Napa style that emphasizes approachability without sacrificing depth.
Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, cassis, plum, and violet, with cedar, vanilla, graphite, and a touch of baking spice. Subtle oak integration allows the fruit and minerality to shine.
Mouthfeel
Medium-plus in body, polished, and cohesive. Fresh acidity, supple tannins, and a graceful arc from entry to finish. Not a bruiser — a refined, cooler-climate profile that stays lively and lifted.
Food Pairings
Flat iron steak, short ribs, mushroom risotto, grilled lamb chops, herb-crusted pork tenderloin, or aged cheeses.
Verdict
A beautifully balanced, site-driven Napa Cabernet that delivers both sophistication and drinkability. Finessed rather than forceful, and a strong example of why Oak Knoll continues to be one of Napa’s most exciting AVAs for Cabernet.
Did You Know?
Nickel & Nickel was founded by the Far Niente family with a mission to produce 100% varietal, single-vineyard wines, showcasing Napa’s terroir with clarity. Oak Knoll is one of Napa Valley’s coolest sub-AVAs, producing elegant, aromatic reds with natural acidity and restraint.
🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
Oak Knoll being a single-vineyard expression from this sub-AVA makes it one of the easiest, most easygoing Cabernets from the Napa floor, and I always like to have it as an opener when pouring more intense Napa reds. A perfect warm-up that sets the stage beautifully.
Nickel & Nickel – Vaca Vista Vineyard – Cab Sauv– 2022
Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley, California 🇺🇸
Overview
A single-vineyard Napa Cabernet sourced from the cool and elegant Oak Knoll District. Fermented and aged with the classic Nickel & Nickel precision, this expression favors balance, red-to-dark fruit purity, and structure over sheer power. A modern Napa style that emphasizes approachability without sacrificing depth.
Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, cassis, plum, and violet, with cedar, vanilla, graphite, and a touch of baking spice. Subtle oak integration allows the fruit and minerality to shine.
Mouthfeel
Medium-plus in body, polished, and cohesive. Fresh acidity, supple tannins, and a graceful arc from entry to finish. Not a bruiser — a refined, cooler-climate profile that stays lively and lifted.
Food Pairings
Flat iron steak, short ribs, mushroom risotto, grilled lamb chops, herb-crusted pork tenderloin, or aged cheeses.
Verdict
A beautifully balanced, site-driven Napa Cabernet that delivers both sophistication and drinkability. Finessed rather than forceful, and a strong example of why Oak Knoll continues to be one of Napa’s most exciting AVAs for Cabernet.
Did You Know?
Nickel & Nickel was founded by the Far Niente family with a mission to produce 100% varietal, single-vineyard wines, showcasing Napa’s terroir with clarity. Oak Knoll is one of Napa Valley’s coolest sub-AVAs, producing elegant, aromatic reds with natural acidity and restraint.
🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
Oak Knoll being a single-vineyard expression from this sub-AVA makes it one of the easiest, most easygoing Cabernets from the Napa floor, and I always like to have it as an opener when pouring more intense Napa reds. A perfect warm-up that sets the stage beautifully.
Nice aromatic nose. Needs a good decant, tannins bright and chewy pnp. Plum, cherry, layers of fruit. Tight mouthfeel with a nice full finish.
Nice aromatic nose. Needs a good decant, tannins bright and chewy pnp. Plum, cherry, layers of fruit. Tight mouthfeel with a nice full finish.
Aug 18th, 2023
This bottle is darker and more concentrated than the one I tasted about a year ago. Cassis, blackberry, clove, dark chocolate, cinnamon, and just hint of barnyard. Broad and silky with balanced acidity. High quality, though indistinguishable, Napa cab.
‘18 is the second vintage this Oak Knoll single vineyard bottling. 18 months in French oak barrel, 50% new.
This bottle is darker and more concentrated than the one I tasted about a year ago. Cassis, blackberry, clove, dark chocolate, cinnamon, and just hint of barnyard. Broad and silky with balanced acidity. High quality, though indistinguishable, Napa cab.
‘18 is the second vintage this Oak Knoll single vineyard bottling. 18 months in French oak barrel, 50% new.
This was silky smooth. I was surprised it was that good.
This was silky smooth. I was surprised it was that good.
Mar 1st, 2023Quick note from a charity dinner event. 4th bottle.
There are plenty of fresh red fruits to balance the ripe black fruits on the nose. Powerful full body, the flavor is more savory than the nose suggests. Oak is well integrated. Ample candied tannins.
Very nice cab from Oak Knoll, an AVA I’m not familiar with.
Quick note from a charity dinner event. 4th bottle.
There are plenty of fresh red fruits to balance the ripe black fruits on the nose. Powerful full body, the flavor is more savory than the nose suggests. Oak is well integrated. Ample candied tannins.
Very nice cab from Oak Knoll, an AVA I’m not familiar with.