{"title":"29\/30: Cabernet Challenge","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"atelier-ilaria-spring-collection-cabernet-sauvignon-napa-valley-california-2021","title":"Atelier Ilaria, 'Spring Collection,' Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnna \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eMonticelli winemaking journey began at the University of California Davis, where she earned a degree in Viticulture and Enology. She spent her fourth year studying at the Sorbonne in Paris, France. After completing her degree in California, she returned to France to work the 2000 vintage at Château Cheval-Blanc  She was very fortunate to work for their technical director, Kees Van Leeuwen, one of the foremost viticultural professors in Bordeaux.  She later returned to Napa Valley to work with the Bryant Family and then to her own pursuits.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemakers\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eAnna \u0026amp; Mario Monticelli\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eNapa Valley, California\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe 2021 Atelier Ilaria Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon leaps out of the glass with gorgeous aromas of black cherry, black currant, blackberry, mocha and espresso. Layers of licorice, toasted oak, spices and blue flowers round out the aromatic profile.\u003cbr\u003eThis wine exhibits stunning richness and texture and a bright vein of acidity runs\u003cbr\u003ethrough the plush fruit driven palate. The enduring finish showcases beautiful finesse\u003cbr\u003eand depth\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e91 Points - Jeb Dunnuck\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 2021 Atelier Ilaria Cabernet Sauvignon offers darker fruits, violets, apple blossoms, and sappy herbs on the nose. Medium-bodied and supple on the palate, it delivers exotic red and black fruits with well-integrated acidity and a pretty, pure finish. This elegant Napa Valley Cabernet will drink nicely for a decade. 3\/31\/2025 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KJS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51475179176241,"sku":null,"price":39.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Atelier_Ilaria_Spring_Collection_Cabernet_Sauvignon_Napa_Valley_California_2021.jpg?v=1749817532"},{"product_id":"holocene-the-black-square-cabernet-sauvignon-wallawalla-valley-oregon-2023","title":"The Black Square, Cabernet Sauvignon, The Rocks District, Milton-Freewater, Oregon, 2022 (Holocene - Todd Alexander)","description":"\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_3X25Q-8OlU?si=DIMwiNaUJmTOyClz\" title=\"YouTube video player\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003e#5 - TOP 100 - Wine Enthusiast \u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe Holocene Epoch began about 11,700 years ago, bringing a warm, stable climate after the last Ice Age. The stability allowed humans to start farming – and eventually, grow grapes and make wine. Our Mission is to craft terroir-driven wines that are delicious, fresh, complete, textural, age-worthy, and true reflections of place and time.\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe value the connections that wine has provided us along the way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe are a small, family-owned wine brand with two generations at the helm. We source from dry-farmed vineyards using organic practices, and where sites possess a unique terroir. And while Holocene is focused on the varied soil types of the Willamette Valley, we also make wine in a few regions in France.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSustainable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eTodd Alexander\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e100% Cabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Rocks District, Milton-Freewater, Oregon\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe Black Square embodies elegance and grace framed by great structure, supple texture, and acidity to ensure longevity. It shows ample fruit with complex savory notes. This is not a heavy wine that is monolithic and dull—there are already plenty of those available. This wine offers a unique expression of Cabernet; it may be the most delicious wine Todd Alexander has ever crafted, venturing into new territory for Rocks District Cabernet Sauvignon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e98 Points - Wine Enthusiast - #5 on Wine Enthusiast's Top 100!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eAs black as squid ink, The Black Square is balance personified. A concentrated blackberry aroma seems as dark as the wine's name, with equally dark espresso, olive and charred steak notes joining it in the abyss. A dark plum and ripe boysenberry flavor combo is accompanied by traces of salty Mission olives, wet slate and silky smooth tannins. The one bright feature illuminating the way is the wine's amped-up acidity. None so black. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KJS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51933928325425,"sku":null,"price":295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Holocene_The_Black_Square_Cabernet_Sauvignon_Willamette_Valley_Oregon_2023.jpg?v=1760444715"},{"product_id":"hayfork-wine-co-field-select-cabernet-sauvignon-st-helena-california-2021","title":"Hayfork Wine Co., Cabernet Sauvignon, Lewelling Ranch, St. Helena, California, 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eWe strongly believe that the hands of the farmer in the field lay the foundation necessary to produce a quality wine. And we are proud to be part of a family whose past is deeply rooted in the soils of our land and valley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eOur farming heritage runs deep, as my great-great-great-grandfather, John Lewelling, a horticulturist by trade, settled the St. Helena family ranch in 1864. Whether growing walnuts, prunes, pears or grapes, we have been continuously farming our land for six generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSt. Helena, \u003c\/span\u003eNapa Valley, California\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker's Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe 2021 Hayfork Lewelling Ranch Cabernet presents a marvelous brightness of fruit with notes of black cherry and rose petal. Sweet spice and leather provide depth together with an effortless textural balance. This wine is lovely now and will evolve gracefully with cellaring.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA rocking little gem of a wine from winemaker Haley Wight, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Lewelling Ranch has an up-front, fruit-driven perfume of black raspberries, plums, cassis, dried flowers, and spicy oak. These all carry to a full-bodied, opulent wine offering velvety tannins as well as the inherent elegance and purity of this great vintage.\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KJS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54295899275569,"sku":null,"price":80.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/HayforkWineCo._CabernetSauvignon_LewellingRanch_St.Helena_California_2021_STAFFFAVORITE_8caca037-6db3-4558-a78d-943ec64ef509.jpg?v=1779854707"},{"product_id":"hobel-wines-cabernet-sauvignon-the-joist-napa-valley-california-2022","title":"Hobel Wines, Cabernet Sauvignon \"The Joist\" Napa Valley, California, 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe story of Hobel Wines began in 1998, when Cameron first met friend and winemaker Thomas Brown in Napa. Cameron was working as the Director of Business Development at Winebid.com and Thomas was working as Assistant Winemaker at Turley Wine Cellars. Their mutual love of great wine led to many shared dinners and glasses of wine, where they discussed the prospect of finding a project that would allow them to work together in producing a world-class wine. The opportunity finally arose eleven years later, with the 2009 Hobel Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHobel, our family name, is also a traditional woodworking plane that has been used for centuries by skilled craftsmen to smooth, balance and finish wood surfaces. The \"hobel\" depicted on our label is a modern twist on this classic woodworking tool and each vintage of Hobel has a different species of custom-crafted wood that is hand applied to the neck of each bottle.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv itemprop=\"description\" class=\"pipWinery_copy viewMoreModule\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"viewMoreModule_text\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThomas Rivers Brown\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e100% Cabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNapa Valley, California\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan id=\"maincontent\"\u003eThe 2022 growing season was a test of both patience and vineyard management. Early in the season, Calistoga, like much of Napa, enjoyed near-perfect weather, with warm days and cool nights—ideal for the slow, even ripening that Cabernet Sauvignon demands. However, the September heatwave posed significant challenges for winemakers across the Valley.  After tasting through the wines, we decided that blending the three vineyard sites would result in the best wine for the 2022 Hobel vintage.  The resulting blend, The Joist, is a symphony of each vineyard's most expressive elements and epitomizes our winemaking philosophy to put the best wine possible in the bottle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92 Points - Ian Blackburn\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe voluminous and voluptuous nose of blue fruits gets your attention, the mouth is dense, and delicious.  There is a generous and ready to enjoy sense about this wine.  I think the price and quality put forward here is outstanding.  Thomas Rivers Brown has parented a huge number of stars... Schrader, Outpost, Rivers Marie, Senses, and now Hobel ... just to name a few.   I think this is a fun grab for under $100 - its bold and juicy and very people pleasing.  15+23+23+32 = 92 points \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e90 Points - Jeb Dunnuck\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBased on 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from a blend of the Larkmead, Winfield, and Pozzan vineyards and aged 20 months in 75% new French oak, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon The Joist offers juicy blue fruits, cedary herbs, violets, and hints of orange. It's medium to full-bodied, ripe, and charming on the palate, with soft tannins and a front-loaded style. With roughly 200 cases produced, it should drink well over the coming 5-7 years. 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