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J. Lohr 2013 Cuvée Pau (Paso Robles). For
full review see page 7. Cellar Selection.
abv: 14.9% Price: $50
93
J. Lohr 2014 Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon
(Paso Robles). For full review see page 7.
Editors’ Choice.
abv: 14.9% Price: $35
93
Lava Cap 2014 Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon
(El Dorado). For full review see page
7. Editors’ Choice.
abv: 14% Price: $28
93
Pine Ridge 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon (Howell
Mountain). This is a juicy, complete and fullbodied
showcase for the variety from this mountainous
appellation, known for its ability to impart
sizable structure and concentration. It delivers that
here, integrating firm tannin into a complex, lengthy
portrait of ripe, brambly blackberry, black currant
and a powerful dose of cigar box. —V.B.
abv: 14.7% Price: $125
93
Ramey 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley).
Sites from throughout the valley contribute
to the lovely layering of this accessible wine,
softly structured and classically inspired in its dried
herb and distinct purity of cassis. Delicate despite
its ripeness and power, it leaves a smoky hint of
sweet tobacco on the finish. —V.B.
abv: 14.5% Price: $62
92
Brilliant Mistake 2013 Taylor Family Vineyard
Cabernet Sauvignon (Stags Leap District).
This is the inaugural vintage for this producer, a
husband-and-wife team in partnership with winemaker
Maayan Koschitzky, who also works with
Philippe Melka. The vineyard-designate is lush and
powerful, a full-bodied, tannic representative of an
amazing growing year. Mint, black olive, blackberry
and cigar highlight the sensual texture, enriched in
dark chocolate. —V.B.
abv: 14.8% Price: $85
92
Castello di Amorosa 2013 Morisoli-Borges
Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford).
For full review see page 9.
abv: 14.8% Price: $145
92
Gundlach Bundschu 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon
(Sonoma Valley). The producer
sources primarily from its historic Rhinefarm
Estate Vineyard for this wine, a rich expression of
the variety opaque in color. Meat, black pepper,
leather and tobacco give it a velvety lushness and
concentration buoyed by complex, savory components.
The lengthy finish is all about bittersweet
chocolate. —V.B.
abv: 14.8% Price: $50
92
Hess Collection 2013 Estate Grown Cabernet
Sauvignon (Mount Veeder). A hearty 18%
Malbec is part of this wine, from the producer’s
appellation estate. Clove, cedar and graphite kick
things off on the nose, before youthful tannin give
breadth and depth to the ripe blackberry, cherry
and blueberry. The wine is soft and seductive on the
finish. —V.B.
abv: 14.8% Price: $65
92
Hess Collection 2013 The Lion Estate Grown
Cabernet Sauvignon (Mount Veeder). For
full review see page 10.
abv: 14.5% Price: $175
92
La Honda Winery 2013 Salinian Block Cabernet
Sauvignon (Santa Cruz Mountains). This
bottling is a great representation of the savory style
that’s typical of the Santa Cruz Mountains, but with
enough rounded, approachable ripeness that it will
appease those seeking juicier wine as well. Aromas
of blackberry, blueberry, spicy vanilla and sharp
cinnamon-allspice lead into a black and white pepper-laden
palate, full of ripe elderberry, blueberry
and elderflower. Editors’ Choice. —M.K.
abv: 13.7% Price: $38
92
La Voix 2013 Ecstasy of Gold Cabernet
Sauvignon (Santa Barbara County). Dried
elderberries and plum skins meet with cocoa, soy,
cracked peppercorn and hoisin sauce unfold on
the nose of this wine, made by Steve Clifton. The
teriyaki and black-plum sauce touches kick into
high gear on the palate, where roasted ancho chilecocoa
flavors prove quite savory and tasty. Editors’
Choice. —M.K.
abv: 14.5% Price: $65
92
Les Belles Collines 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon
(Napa Valley). For full review see page 11.
abv: 14.5% Price: $70
92
Malibu Rocky Oaks 2014 Reserve Cabernet
Sauvignon (California). One of the more
promising wines coming out of the newer Malibu
area, this Cab that is boosted by 10% Merlot and
4% Cabernet Franc. It shows deep blueberry, black
currant and black olive on the nose, along with
dill, pepper, spearmint and caramel-laced fudge.
The intriguing palate offers black olive, black pepper
and dark, deep fruit. It’s well structured and
tasty, like a salt- and pepper-crusted steak. Editors’
Choice. —M.K.
abv: 14.4% Price: $30
92
Oakville Winery 2013 Estate Grown Cabernet
Sauvignon (Oakville). This lovely wine
from the producer’s Pelissa Vineyard is perfumed
in roses, while offering a soft, velvety texture that’s
restrained in terms of tannin and oak. Clove, graphite
and white pepper develop in the glass, adding to
the wine’s classical nature. —V.B.
abv: 14.2% Price: $50
92
Pine Ridge 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon (Stags
Leap District). For full review see page 12.
abv: 14.9% Price: $125
92
Rendarrio Vineyards 2013 The Rocker Cabernet
Sauvignon (Paso Robles). From Clare
Ranch Vineyard in the Templeton Gap, this bottling
by Ryan Render shows rounded notes of boysenberry
and cooked blackberry on the nose alongside
strong licorice and mocha aromas. Blackberry and
boysenberry also arise on the sip, with olive, pepper
and pretty violet floral flavors, all framed by a
solidly dry structure. —M.K.
abv: 14.5% Price: $40
92
Vinum Cellars 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon
(Napa Valley). Impressive at any price, but
especially notable at this cost, this 100% varietal
red is a testament to the power and concentration
of the vintage, integrated with a push of tannin on
the back of the tongue. Spicy clove and pepper ride
a wave of cassis, dark cherry and chocolate, needing
time to unwind in the glass. It will do well in the
cellar through 2028. Cellar Selection. —V.B.
abv: 14.9% Price: $37
92
Wood Family Vineyards 2013 Especial Cabernet
Sauvignon (Livermore Valley). This is
a concentrated, substantive wine with great structure
and layers of flavor that taste wonderful now
and should improve with time. It coats the palate
with rich black cherry, light oak spices and a hint
of chocolate, while the full body makes it mouthfilling
and luscious. It will drink best from 2019.
Cellar Selection. —J.G.
abv: 14.8% Price: $52
91
Alyris 2013 The Audition Take 1 Cabernet
Sauvignon (Napa Valley). This is a purely
varietal, estate-grown wine from Mount George,
cave-aged for nearly two years in all-new French
oak. Generously expansive on the palate, it offers
full-bodied richness around a thoughtful layering
of clove, juicy black cherry and savory red currant,
lingering on the finish. —V.B.
abv: 14.6% Price: $85
91
Bell 2013 Clone 6 Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford).
From a section of the Beckstoffer
Georges III vineyard originally planted by Beaulieu
Vineyard in 1928, this wine exalts in this particular
clone that imparts classic elements of forest floor
and dried herb. Intense and smooth, with a backbone
of chalky tannin, the fruit shines in black plum
and cherry. —V.B.
abv: 14.7% Price: $250
91
Bell 2013 Longtable Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
(Mount Veeder). Soft and round, this
100% varietal wine made from two clones is juicy
and fresh in acidity, a sense of restraint allowing it
to sconvey more than just fruit. Cassis, black pepper,
cedar and a slight streak of menthol combine
nicely on the palate, intertwining on the lengthy
finish. —V.B.
abv: 14.4% Price: $150
91
Garnet Vineyards 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon
(Paso Robles). Winemaker Alison Crowe does
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