How many times have we covered STARS of Cabernet? A bunch. But why do we cover the same event year after year? Because year after year there are ALWAYS new wineries to discover, new vintages from old favorites and a bunch of wine-loving friends that we’ve made over the years that we get to see again. (If you want to cut to the chase just for photos go here.)
So what was new for us this year from the incredible wine list below? Well, Ian Blackburn of WineLA.com always does a tremendous job curating wineries for us, so it’s very hard to narrow it down! I have put the wineries in bold that we were able to visit – we can’t do it all – and have noted any special wines we want you to look for:
The 2019 STARS of Cabernet Tasting List
- Addendum, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA, 2015
- Addendum, Cabernet Sauvignon, Stagecoach Vineyard, Atlas Peak, USA, 2015
- Addendum, Cabernet Sauvignon, Skellenger Lane, Rutherford, USA, 2015
- Alejandro Bulgheroni, Cabernet Sauvignon, Lithology Napa Valley, Napa Valley, USA, 2015 – we also had three 2016 single vineyard wines that were outstanding. This is a winery I will be looking for.
- Allegretto Wines, Trio, Allegretto Vineyard, Paso Robles, 2017
- Allegretto Wines, Malbec, Cira Vineyard, Paso Robles, 2015
- Allegretto Wines, Cabernet Sauvignon, Allegretto Vineyard, Paso Robles, 2016
- Allegretto Wines, Cabernet Sauvignon, Willow Creek, Paso Robles, 2015 – and thanks to Quin Cody for taking such good care of us.
- Almaviva 2016 – During our tasting they were notified that this 2016 was a Wine Spectator Top Ten Wine of the Year, and guess what? Ran out before we could taste it, betting it’s sold out now as well!
- Almaviva 2017 – a Chilean blend.
- AXR – TBA
- Barnett Vineyards Spring Mountain Cabernet, Spring Mountain District, USA, 2017
- Barnett Vineyards Rattlesnake Cabernet, Spring Mountain District, USA, 2017
- BV Tapestry Red Blend, Napa Valley, USA 2016
- BV Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour, Rutherford, CA USA 2016
- BV Sauvignon Blanc, Rutherford, Napa 2018
- Bernardus, Marinus Estate, Carmel Valley, 2010
- Bernardus, Marinus Estate, Carmel Valley, 2011
- Bernardus, Marinus Estate, Carmel Valley, 2013
- Bernardus Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, Carmel Valley, 2017
- Chappellet Signature Cabernet, Napa 2017
- Chappellet Mountain Cuvee, Bordeaux Blend, Napa/Sonoma 2017
- Chappellet Grower Collection Chardonnay, Calesa Vineyard, Petaluma Gap, 2017
- Chateau Montelena, Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, 2015; Calistoga, USA – they also served a 2005 Cab that was amazing.
- Chateau Montelena, Chardonnay, 2016 Napa Valley, USA
- Clark Claudon – TBA
- Crown Point, Estate Selection Bordeaux Blend, Happy Canyon, USA, 2014
- Crown Point, Estate Selection Bordeaux Blend, Happy Canyon, USA, 2015
- Crown Point, Cabernet Sauvignon, Happy Canyon, USA, 2016
- Dana Estates – VIP 6 PM ONLY
- Davis Estates – TBA
- Dominus Estate – VIP 6 PM ONLY
- Duhig Wine, 2016 Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Napa Valley – this was a nice discovery for us. The Cab was slightly chilled and had a lovely mouthfeel, and the two sisters working the table were delightful.
- Ehlers Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, 2016
- Ehlers Estate Cabernet Franc, 2016
- Ehlers Estate Portrait (Bordeaux Blend)
- Ehlers Estate 1886, 2015
- Napa Cabernet, 2016
- Rutherford Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2016
- Winston Hill, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014
- Carneros Chardonnay
- Arrowood Wines, Sonoma Estates Cabernet Sauvignon, 2016
- Stonestreet Estate Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, 2016
- Frank Family Vineyards 2016 Rutherford Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
- Freemark Abbey, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2016
- Hawk & Horse Vineyards – 2014 Petit Verdot, Red Hills, Lake County – always nice to taste with Hawk & Horse.
- Hertelendy Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2015
- Hertelendy Vineyards Signature Mtn Blend, Napa Valley, 2015- we missed seeing Ralph Herterlendy at the event this year but his wines were still amazing without him.
- Hertelendy Vineyards Chardonnay, Ritchie Vineyard, Russian River Valley, 2015
- J. Bookwalter, Cabernet Sauvignon, Volume 6 Dionysus Vineyard, Columbia Valley Washington, USA 2016
- J. Bookwalter, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chapter 9 Conner-Lee Vineyard, Columbia Valley Washington, USA 2016 – new winery for us, good wines.
- Jack Wines – TBA
- Joseph Phelps Chardonnay, Freestone Vineyards, 2017
- Joseph Phelps Pinot Noir, Freestone Vineyards, 2017
- Joseph Phelps Insignia, Napa Valley, 2016
- Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2016 – we’re club members, so it was so cool to see them at this event!
- Gelson’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Coombsville, Napa Valley
- Marciano Estate – TBA
- Michel Rolland – TBA
- Moët Hennessey presents – all unfiltered wines, I enjoyed all the 2015 Newton Estate: Spring Mtn, Yountville, Mt. Veeder
- Monteverro – TBA
- Moraga White (SB) Bel Air, CA, 2017
- Moraga Red (Bordeaux Blend) Bel Air, CA, 2015
- Napanook – TBA
- Palmaz Cabernet 2016
- Palmaz Cabernet 2015
- Palmaz Chardonnay “Amalia” 2017
- Prime Solum, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA, 2015
- Prime Solum, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA, 2014
- Prime Solum, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA, 2011
- Prime Solum Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon, Brokenrock Vineyard, Napa Valley, 2018 – I had written about this winery for Napa Valley Life Magazine so it was a treat to see them and taste all of their yummy wines!
- Relic Wines – TBA
- Rocca, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot Blend, “Vespera” Grigsby/Collinetta, Yountville/Coombsville, USA, 2014
- Rocca, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grigsby, Yountville, USA, 2014
- Rocca, Cabernet Sauvignon, Collinetta, Coombsville, USA, 2013 –so cool to find Rocca at this event! Had visited them a few years back, and just like then I loved all of their wines.
- Sequoia Grove Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2016
- Seven Stones Winery – TBA
- ST. FRANCIS WINERY & VINEYARDS, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County, 2016
- Teachworth Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, Diamond Mountain District, 2016
- Teachworth Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, Manzanita Hill Vineyard, Diamond Mountain District, 2012
- Teachworth Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rattlesnake Ridge Vineyard, Diamond Mountain District, 2012
- T. Berkley Wines, Cabernet Franc, Leaning Oak Vineyard, Los Carneros, Napa, 2016 –This may have been my favorite wine at the tasting. I love Cab Franc and the winemaker told me that Cab Franc was the reason he became a winemaker. Same winemaker for both Teachworth and T.Berkley: Taylor Berkley Boydstun.
- The Debate – TBA
- The Unfiltered Collection, winemaker is Jean Hoefliger formerly of Alpha Omega, all native yeast: 2015 Clark Claudon “Eternity” Cabernet Sauvignon, V. Vineyards 2015 “Audace” Cabernet Sauvignon, 2016 “The Debate” Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Trujillo Cabernet Napa Valley 2016
- Trujillo Gary Morisoli Single Vineyard Designate Cabernet Rutherford 2016
- Trujillo Henry Brothers Single Vineyard Designate Cabernet Howell Mtn. 2016
- Two Old Dogs – TBA
- V. Vineyards – TBA
- Yount Ridge Cellars – TBA
- ZD Wines, 59% Pinot Noir 41% Chardonnay, Anniversary Reserve Cuvee Sparkling, Napa Valley AVA, USA
- ZD Wines, Chardonnay, California Chardonnay, California Appellation, USA, 2017
- ZD Wines, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley AVA, USA, 2016
- ZD Wines, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley AVA, USA, 2010
Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.
