Caravina Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

After an aged Barolo & Margaux, this is big & jammy. It was picked at a high brix’s level. Hard to drink after the Barolo & Margaux. Syrupy & sweet. Shades of Zinfandel.

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.

A superb example of Conn Valley Cabernet. Love the energy, focus and drive. Just starting to drink well. Tasted during our St. Helena & Conn Valley Vinous Learn masterclass.

This note is really about potential more than anything else. I found this bottle to be waaaaay to young. It’s got the fruit and the structure to be outstanding but it’s just too primary; all knees and elbows. I would hold these for another few years before checking back in.

Day 2 of Napa in the books!

This was really good. At close to half the price of their flagship cab, this is a winner. Dark, herbal and even some smoked meat notes here. More savory in style (Bordeaux like) than most Napa cabs. Underbrush, cedar, cassis, plum and tobacco. Great wine.

Gorgeous. Luscious fruit, structure still intact, tannins have mellowed but plenty of grip remains. Acid balance is on point. Long rich finish. Could easily go another 5+

On the nose; bright red & dark fruits, dark currants, coffee roast, boysenberries, blackberries, dark dry cherries, heavy black plum & black raspberries, limestone, dry herbs, dark rich soil, the core of anise, tobacco leaf, graphite, dry stems, mixed berry cola, black tea, violets, lavender and dark mixed fresh floral bouquet.

The body is full. The tannins are big & sticky. The structure and tension are big as well. The length and balance is nice for a wine this young. Very dark currants, coffee roast, boysenberries, blackberries, dark dry cherries, heavy black plum & black raspberries, limestone, dry herbs, dark rich soil, the core of anise, tobacco leaf, loads of graphite, leather, wood shavings, underbrush, dry clay, dry crushed rocks, mixed berry cola, black tea, very light baking spices, soft dark spice, fresh violets, lavender and dark mixed fresh floral bouquet. The acidity is round & beautiful. The big, long finish is elegant with palate sticky tannins and goes on for minutes. This one will be even better with another 12-15 years in bottle.

Photos of, the barn where they make wine and host tastings, the staircase that leads to Williams old office and showcases that late 1800’s architecture...now a private tasting room, dining room for small events & tasting and a very old piece of equipment converted into a planter box that decorates their grounds.

Seavey makes wines endowed with real personality and character. Credit for this must go to the late founder William Seavey, who left a terrific legacy to the next generation, and Philippe Melka, the estate’s long-time consultant. Seavey’s Caravina is one of very few top tier estate Cabernets in Napa that you can buy and still have plenty of change from a hundred-dollar bill. The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Caravina is going to need at least a few years to fully come together. Aromatically expressive and beautifully layered in the glass, the 2014 delivers superb quality and pedigree for the money. Smoke, cedar, tobacco, graphite, tar, licorice ,and dried herbs add the closing shades of nuance. Caravina remains one of the very best values in Napa Valley Cabernet. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Dec 2016)

Bordeaux style blend showing nice restraint and complexity. More savory, smoke and herbal notes. A bit austere but well structured with fine grained tannins.

Fruit forward but with earthiness. Spicy notes. Ryan said strawberry on the nose. Impressive.