Caravina Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Popped and poured from magnum; enjoyed over the course of two days. Best on Day 2 as the wine came into better balance. The 2015 “Caravina” pours a deep ruby with a nearly opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. One the nose, the wine is developing with notes of black cherry, brambles, tobacco, violets, herbs, and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine with dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and the acid plays a significant role, giving some real lift to the lush fruit. And while we’re on the topic, I’ll just share an observation that the acid is a significant characteristic for Seavey. In their youth, they are somewhat tough to fully appreciate (Ridge also has this reputation). I’m not suggesting Seavey is an analogue to Monte Bello, rather just stating they seem to be playing the long game…and I’m here for that. That being said, these are good now but will be more pleasurable in another couple years (at least in this format) and should be lovely through 2035.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over two days. Best on Day 1. The 2011 “Caravina” pours a deep, we’re going to call opaque, garnet with some slight browning towards the rim. There appear to be signs of very light sediment. Medium viscosity and medium staining of the tears. On the nose, cassis, tobacco, bell pepper and the faint smell of baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry and notes from the nose are confirmed. Medium tannin and medium acid. Finish is a bit clipped so I would place at medium-. On Day 2, the wine was still intact but it seemed to have lost some of the energy that it had on Day 1 and now came across even more green and earthy than before.

This 2011 Caravina is probably the most “2011” Cabernet from Napa that I’ve had in some time. It’s green and lacks the structure I would want for longevity. While I would still call this a good wine, it’s not the charmer that Caravina is in most vintages these days. Drink now with a meal. In this case, it worked well enough with Cincinnati-style chili 😋.

Popped and poured from a magnum; no formal notes. This is probably the third or fourth time I’ve had the 2014 Caravina and while it’s still quite primary, this is the best showing yet. Bright red and black fruits with tobacco, a whiff of bell pepper and some baking spices. Firm structure with grippy tannins. The acid is elevated but welcome, particularly since it helped to slice through the fat of the prime rib. Finish is long and satisfying. Drink now and through 2034.

My fourth time enjoying the 2005 vintage of Caravina and notes are consistent with pervious examples. Color is still deep and youthful however there is stunning amount of sediment. Generous dark fruits with tobacco, leather, mushrooms and spices. The tannins are well integrated and acid at a level to keep everything in balance. The finish is impressively long. My last bottle and not upset about drinking it now while it’s still delivering at such a high level. Drink now (possibly with a short decant for sediment) but will drink well through 2025.

Decanted 7 hours and then poured back into the bottle before service, 4 hours later. No formal notes. The 2019 “Caravina” is showing classic notes of black currants, tobacco, and baking spices with a gentle touch of vanilla. The finish is dry with significant structure. Already lovely with extended exposure to air, I’m looking forward to following the evolution of this wine for the next 10-15+ years. This remains one of Napa’s best values.

Popped and poured; consumed over two days with little way in evolution. Cork pulled perfectly. The 2013 Caravina pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core and some very fine sediment. Medium+ viscosity and moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is intense…redolent with black fruit, black currants, blackberries, some black cherry, black plum, tobacco leaf, eucalyptus, espresso, some green bell pepper, iron rich tilled earth, purple flowers, vanilla and baking spice. On the palate, the wine is very dry with medium++ tannins and medium+ acid. The tannins are integrating well but remain very firm. The black fruits dominate on the palate coming across tart and fresh in the most becoming way. Dark chocolate, earth, tobacco, vanilla and baking spices are there too. The finish is super long and incredibly satisfying. This wine has such a dark and sexy streak to it. It’s like, the Portishead of wines. It’s drinking very well right now and should continue to do so for at least another ten years. One of my favorite vintages of Caravina to date.

Popped and poured. The 2008 Caravina pours a deep garnet color with a nearly opaque core and moderate staining of the tears. Some sediment appears in the glass. The wine has good intensity. On the nose, beautifully ripe dark fruits, tobacco, leather, pie crust, and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (though fairly well integrated) and medium+ acid. The fruit set is confirmed with cassis, figs, dates and blackberries with tobacco, leather, and baking spices. Beautifully balanced. Fully mature, these should drink well for at least another 5-7 years.

Opened to celebrate my son’s 15th birthday and poured alongside the 2006 Eagle’s Trace “Latitude 38”. The 2006 Seavey Caravina pours a deep garnet color with a completely opaque core. No obvious signs of age in the glass. Medium+ viscosity. On the nose, medium+ intensity, with strong pipe tobacco notes, currants, black cherry, figs, some green bell pepper and leather. On the palate dark fruits dominate with black cherry, black currants and blackberries. The tobacco and leather is also there accompanied by semi-sweet baking chocolate, baking spice and some anise. The wine finishes dry with medium tannins, most of which are well integrated at this point. Medium+ acid. Medium plus alcohol. The finish is long. Another very lovely vintage of Caravina, aging gracefully.

Drinking better than the last time I had this vintage. Cassis, black brambly fruit, tobacco, plums, baking spice; energetic...like a spark plug. Lots of acid and tannin. I adore these wines. Best on Day 2.

This is the third time that I’ve had the pleasure of drinking the 2005 Caravina over the last year and it continues to be a stunner. It pours a dark garnet with no color variation however, this bottle was throwing an enormous amount of sediment. The bouquet is powerful with a lovely mix of dark fruits; currants and plums with sweet pipe tobacco, leather, and mushrooms. The palate is decadent with a very forward attack and layer upon layer of fruits, baking spices and earthier secondary characteristics. Finish is dry, long and super satisfying. Impeccable balance. Would be a deft pairing for most hearty meals but a winner on its own. I have to believe these are drinking at or near peak but if this bottle (and the previous two for that matter) is representative, that peak may last for many years to come. Hard to believe this isn’t their Grand Vin.