Stony Hill, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, 2018

Overview of the Wine
The year was 1943. Fred McCrea and his wife, Eleanor, stumbled onto a 168-acre goat ranch hidden away on the slopes of Spring Mountain, which they acquired and developed into their dream wine estate that is Stony Hill. With their love of white Burgundy, combined with the ideal growing conditions of their property, the McCreas built the first post-Prohibition winery in 1951.

The inaugural Stony Hill vintage was released the following year.

Stony Hill’s high elevation and terroir with volcanic mountain soil, a limestone sub-layer, and a northeast-facing hillside made it perfect to craft their preferred style of Chardonnay.

In 1972, Fred brought on Mike Chelini as his assistant winemaker and protegee, who would later take over after Fred’s passing in 1977. From then until 2018, Chelini carried on McCrea’s legacy and philosophy of winemaking for over four decades, maintaining the “big little winery” and selling primarily through a hand-selected list of buyers—Napa Valley’s first mailing list. The McCreas planted more European white varietals including Pinot Blanc, Johannisberg Riesling and later Gewürztraminer and Semillon. 

In 2020, Stony Hill moved into its next era of producing world-class wines with new ownership by the Lawrence Family. Sustainable farming practices, including regenerative farming, continue the legacy the McCrea Family began so many years ago.

Winemaker
Reid Griggs

Grape/ Blend
100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Origin
Napa Valley, California

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
2018 produced an unforgettable Cabernet Sauvignon for us. Even in its youth, the
wine carries bold floral qualities from violets and sandalwood, as well as rich fruit
traits of Bing cherry and huckleberry. This wine sits forward on the palate and
exhibits a full mouthfeel with crunchy mountain and oak tannins. While the berries’
essence shines through, you are left with a fresh-cut leather finish. Incredible now and
will age beautifully for years to come.

94 Points - Wine Advocate
One of several stalwarts on Spring Mountain, Stony Hill has turned out a classic 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon. Scented of cassis, graphite, cherries and sage, it's firmly structured and medium-bodied, framed by ample (fruit) tannins that linger elegantly on the long finish. With a relatively small proportion of new oak and a restrained alcohol level (labeled at 13.8%), it hearkens back stylistically to Napa Valley Cabs from 40 years ago, without any of the rusticity those wines sometimes carried. It's a refined, elegant offering, one that should be cellared for at least several years and then drink well for two decades.

94 Points - Vinous
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is an exquisite, nuanced wine. Crushed red berry fruit, spice, leather, and orange peel are some of the main notes that grace this gracious, mid-weight Cabernet. Readers should expect an understated, perfumed Cabernet with lovely savory character and quiet, hushed fruit.

Product size: 750ml