Napa Cabernet 2019: full vintage report and top-scoring wines
California’s premier Cabernet Sauvignon region has delivered a beautifully classic vintage in 2019, showcasing balance, energy and tension. Decanter’s Napa correspondent Jonathan Cristaldi reviews the growing season and reveals the 63 wines from across the valley’s appellations he rated 97 or above – including five perfect 100-point scores.
Napa Cabernet 2019 vintage verdict: 4.5 stars
A wet winter and cool spring delayed budbreak throughout most of the Napa Valley, while a warm, even growing season allowed for slow, phenolic maturity. The resulting Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant wines are fresh and vivid, with intense black fruits, savouriness and concentration. Very classic in style, with great balance, energy and tension, they exude upfront drinking pleasure but also have impeccable structure for long-term cellaring.
QUICK LINKS
Napa Cabernet 2019 score table: top 221 wines
Napa Cabernet 2019 – individual analysis by AVA:
Calistoga | Coombsville | Howell Mountain | Oakville | Rutherford | Spring Mountain | St Helena | Stags Leap District | Other Napa Valley AVAs
PLUS: Top-value Napa Cabernet 2019 – the best to buy
Energy, freshness and balance characterise Napa Valley’s 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon vintage, which will find broad appeal.
The best are incredibly approachable, already showing intricate layers of complexity through the vivid upfront dark fruit, but also boast the structure to cellar for decades thanks to ultra-fine tannins and ample acid tension.
‘In time, we believe 2019 will prove to be one of the standout vintages of the decade,’ proclaims Paul Hobbs. ‘It is a return to classic.’
Napa Cabernet 2019: the wines of the vintage
100 points AXR, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2019
100 points Vine Hill Ranch, VHR Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville 2019
Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores of the 63 wines Decanter rates best from the 2019 Napa Cabernet vintage
Abundant winter rainfall saturated the ground, which set the stage for uniform shoot and canopy growth. A cool spring rarely saw midday temperatures rise above 22℃, which delayed budbreak in some areas by as much as two weeks.
Temperatures began to rise in early June, and remained even throughout the growing season – a report from the Napa Valley Vintners shows the mercury hovered between 23℃ and 29℃.
This is still relatively cool by Napa’s standards, which resulted in longer hangtimes and grapes with mouthwatering fresh fruit flavours and bright, natural acidities. Alcohol levels are slightly higher than the 2018s but impressively balanced across the board.
Grower Andy Beckstoffer described the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon grapes he dealt with as having ‘great intensity, deep colour and softer, more elegant tannins.’
The intensity of the fruit – a hallmark of the vintage – is in the darker black berry spectrum on both nose and palate. There is a real generosity and ripeness running through the 2019 Napa Cabs, but balanced by a lovely savoury character, redolent of dried wild herbs, which is another common thread this vintage.
‘Energy’ is what defines the 2019s for Andy Erickson of Favia. ‘2018 had great appeal because of the depth and richness. 2019 has a similar level of intensity, but the character of the wine is very bright, more aromatic and precise.’
Immediate appeal but freshness and complexity to last
Consultant winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown agrees. ‘While our lush and seductive 2018s have the upper hand now, a few decades will prove that 2019’s freshness, weight and complexity will ultimately best them.’
Maya Dalla Valle, of her family’s eponymous winery, said berries were smaller in 2019, leading to more concentration in the wines, but that the tannin structure was more approachable earlier, meaning the wines were ‘very elegant and smooth without being too plush’.
While not as abundant or vibrant as the 2013s, ‘which are a joy to drink right now’, said Kristy Melton of Freemark Abbey, comparisons are being drawn between the 2019s and the 2016 and 2012 vintages, which also offered fresh fruit with good acidities and more easygoing tannins upfront.
By contrast, Matt Crafton of Chateau Montelena explained that ‘2017 was more dynamic than 2019, encompassing both hot and cold vintage characteristics’ while the 2015s ‘had more power and concentration,’ and the 2016s ‘more elegance’.
With ample freshness, concentration and lovely savoury qualities, the 2019 Napa Cabernets offer a lot of immediate drinking pleasure but have the balance, tension and complexity to age gracefully. Snap them up!
Top 2019 Napa Cabernets to buy
The 63 wines in this list are Jonathan Cristaldi’s top-scoring from more than 300 tasted. The appellations given are those marked on the label. Many producers choose to use the generic Napa Valley AVA even though their wines could be classified under one of the 16 sub-AVAs. For top-scoring 2019 Napa Cabernets from specific AVAs, as well as value wines, please see the links above.
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AXR, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Deep layers of gravelly, alluvial loam soils in the 36.4ha Beckstoffer To Kalon vineyard play a critical factor in the low pH levels from Cabernet...
2019
AXRNapa Valley
Harlan Estate, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Tasted with winemaker Cory Empting and director of winegrowing Bob Levy at Harlan Estate. Fresh and approachable, with the elegance and structural integrity to last...
2019
Harlan EstateNapa Valley
Lithology, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, Napa Valley, Oakville, California, USA, 2019
<p>From the Beckstoffer To Kalon vineyard, blocks C, D and E. Each block is fermented separately in a mix of oak, stainless steel and concrete...
2019
LithologyNapa Valley
Screaming Eagle, Napa Valley, Oakville, California, USA, 2019
Power and intensity balanced by so much freshness, tension and energy – quite remarkable. Aromas lead with beautifully delineated black and blue fruits, pops of...
2019
Screaming EagleNapa Valley
Vine Hill Ranch, VHR Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Oakville, California, USA, 2019
Fresh, enticing aromas of sappy red and black fruits, leather, sandalwood, cassis, violets and sweet cedar. Gorgeous on entry, brimming with elegance in its finely...
2019
Vine Hill RanchNapa Valley
Bond, Vecina, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
An east-facing 4.4ha site, just southeast of Bond winery on Oakville’s western foothills. This multidimensional red teems with energy, giving off a savoury black-fruited nose,...
2019
BondNapa Valley
Chateau Montelena, The Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Calistoga, California, USA, 2019
The flagship wine of Chateau Montelena sourced from the winery's estate vineyard adjacent to the chateau near the base of Mount St Helena. Compact and...
2019
Chateau MontelenaNapa Valley
Harbison, Horseshoe, Napa Valley, Oakville, California, USA, 2019
Philanthropists Joe and Pat Harbison own this estate, which enjoys a border with Oakville’s Screaming Eagle. Horseshoe is the Harbison’s west-facing block, named for all...
2019
HarbisonNapa Valley
Schrader Cellars, CCS, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
From the C1 Block of Beckstoffer To Kalon, winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown has worked with these Clone 4 Cabernet vines since 2005. This is a...
2019
Schrader CellarsNapa Valley
Tor, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Tor Kenward's longtime winemaker Jeff Ames has produced a beautifully tight-knit wine here that will serve as a benchmark for this iconic vineyard in decades...
2019
TorNapa Valley
Accendo Cellars, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Tasted with Bart Araujo at Wheeler Farms, the 'Rolls Royce of custom crush facilities', as described by Accendo winemaker Nigel Kinsman. Bart and wife Daphne...
2019
Accendo CellarsNapa Valley
Ad Vivum, Sleeping Lady Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Yountville, California, USA, 2019
The personal project of winemaker Chris Phelps of Inglenook. Since his days at Dominus in the 1990s, he continues to show a deft hand with...
2019
Ad VivumNapa Valley
AXR, Flagship Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
A blend of Cabernet grapes from vineyards including Artalade on Pritchard Hill, Denali, V Madrone and Sleeping Lady in Yountville. Sensational aromas lift from the...
2019
AXRNapa Valley
Bond, Pluribus, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Vines rooted in Aiken loam soils on Spring Mountain are surrounded by conifer and redwoods. It is the ripest of the Bond wines, very compact,...
2019
BondNapa Valley
Bond, St Eden, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
A 4.4ha site on a knoll of the valley floor with iron-rich fractured volcanic soils made from 'hillside parent material', says Bob Levy, director of...
2019
BondNapa Valley
Carter Cellars, The OG, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Very sophisticated nose of dark berry fruit, cast-iron shavings, toasty cedar and herb de provence nuances. A full-throttle Cabernet that is tight knit and focused,...
2019
Carter CellarsNapa Valley
Cliff Lede, Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District, California, USA, 2019
After 21 months in 80% new French oak barrels, this Cabernet blend was selected from the best lots of Cliff Lede's Poetry Vineyard. Superbly elegant,...
2019
Cliff LedeNapa Valley
Dalecio Family Wines, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Coombsville, California, USA, 2019
Incredibly fresh, with a savoury aromatic lift, packed with black and red fruits, black olive and spearmint, which follows through on the palate. Ample crushed...
2019
Dalecio Family WinesNapa Valley
Dalla Valle Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Oakville, California, USA, 2019
Deep, dark and alluring nose of black fruit, rich cedar and cigar box. Well-built, beautiful and balanced, with deeply concentrated, yet fresh and ripe flavours...
2019
Dalla Valle VineyardsNapa Valley
Fairchild Estate, Stones No 2, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Leads with decadent blueberry fruit, seductive oak spices and dried herbs. Rich and concentrated on the palate with blackberry, cherry, cassis and blackcurrants with scorched...
2019
Fairchild EstateNapa Valley
Fairchild Estate, Stones No 3, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
From the Tensch vineyard in Oakville next to Screaming Eagle. Incredibly dense and concentrated with massive power, energy and drive. Deep dark berry fruit along...
2019
Fairchild EstateNapa Valley
Kinsman Eades, Anjea Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Yountville, California, USA, 2019
Though he doesn't list the site on his label, winemaker Nigel Kinsman, who co-owns this label with his wife Shea, sources the fruit from Sleeping...
2019
Kinsman EadesNapa Valley
Kinsman Eades, La Voleuse du Chagrin, Napa Valley, Calistoga, California, USA, 2019
From a 0.55ha plot adjacent to Eisele Vineyard comes this 100% Cabernet by Nigel Kinsman. Incredibly lavish nose of cedar, wild herbs and tobacco. Full-bodied,...
2019
Kinsman EadesNapa Valley
Lail Vineyards, J Daniel Cuvée, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
From Mole Hill Vineyard on Howell Mountain, Heimark in Calistoga, Vine Hill Ranch in Oakville and Steltzner in Stags Leap. Each site is vinified separately...
2019
Lail VineyardsNapa Valley
Levy & McClellan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Longtime Harlan winemaker Bob Levy prefers the oak profile of Taransaud for his personal project which includes Cabernet Franc and a splash of Merlot sourced...
2019
Levy & McClellanNapa Valley
Lokoya, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Mt Veeder, California, USA, 2019
Powerfully aromatic black fruits, dried herbs, dark-roast coffee beans, toasty oak and dried flowers. Full-throttle, structured and dense, with firm, elongated tannins and compact black-toned...
2019
LokoyaNapa Valley
Lokoya, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain, California, USA, 2019
Intricate aromas of kirsch, tobacco, potpourri, pine forest, and smoky cedar. Massively powerful and concentrated dark fruit gives buoyancy to this brooding Cabernet. Firm, fine...
2019
LokoyaNapa Valley
Lokoya, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain, California, USA, 2019
Incredibly rich and opulent. Sumptuous aromas of ripe cassis, boysenberry, blackberry and mountain herbs. The incredibly vivid dark berry fruit – deep and penetrating –...
2019
LokoyaNapa Valley
Paul Hobbs, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
A glowing representation of Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet with a classic nose of blackcurrant, graphite and new cedar oak. Full-bodied and richly layered with immensely...
2019
Paul HobbsNapa Valley
Roy Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
A hedonistic, decadent Napa Cab from winemaker Philippe Melka. Teeming with dark black fruits, dried herbs and crushed rose petals. Powerful and chewy, with expressive...
2019
Roy EstateNapa Valley
Schrader Cellars, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Explosive dark black fruit aromas mingle with black olive, ground coffee and walnut husks. A mix of Darnajou and Taransaud barrels deliver toasty cedar and...
2019
Schrader CellarsNapa Valley
Schrader Cellars, Old Sparky, Beckstoffer To Kalon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
A barrel selection of the best lots from this Oakville vineyard, only offered in magnum and larger formats. Inspired by Fred Schrader's love of cigars,...
2019
Schrader CellarsNapa Valley
Spottswoode, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, St Helena, California, USA, 2019
This biodynamically produced (certified from the 2020 vintage) red offers vividly bright aromas of ripe strawberry, sagebrush, coriander cream and cedar. Silken waves of red...
2019
SpottswoodeNapa Valley
The Setting, Glass Slipper Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Coombsville, California, USA, 2019
In Jessie Katz’s signature fashion, he’s made one of the more opulent styles of Coombsville Cabernet from the Glass Slipper vineyard. The nose is rich...
2019
The SettingNapa Valley
Tor, Vine Hill Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Oakville, California, USA, 2019
Powerful, heady aromas of dense dark fruits and rich oak spices, accompanied by pie crust and baker's chocolate. Full-bodied with compact black and blueberry fruit...
2019
TorNapa Valley
AXR, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Winemaker Jean Hoefliger sources grapes from the Denali Vineyard and V Madrone in St Helena, Furtado and Sleeping Lady in Yountville, and Ballard Vineyards on...
2019
AXRNapa Valley
Beaulieu Vineyard, Georges de Latour Private Reserve, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
One of Napa Valley's most iconic wines, today produced by Trevor Durling, only the fourth winemaker to follow in the footsteps of the great André...
2019
Beaulieu VineyardNapa Valley
Bella Oaks, Proprietary Red Wine, Napa Valley, Rutherford, California, USA, 2019
Precision and energy characterise this finely focused Cabernet Sauvignon blended with 7% Cabernet Franc. It's a perfumed, pristinely ripe wine with notes of violet, black...
2019
Bella OaksNapa Valley
Bond, Melbury, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
From the Melbury vineyard off Greenfield Road above St Helena. Soils are of oceanic origins with fine quality clay which Bob Levy, director of winegrowing,...
2019
BondNapa Valley
Bond, Quella, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
The Quella property is on well-draining sandy soils, dotted by rounded river cobble and volcanic ash just off Taplin Road, one ridgeline southeast of Melbury....
2019
BondNapa Valley
Cardinale, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Heady aromas of beautiful brown spices, raspberry, boysenberry, leather and tobacco with the nuances of smoky clove, crushed wild herbs and cinnamon. More of the...
2019
CardinaleNapa Valley
Cliff Lede, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
From winemaker Christopher Tynan, this Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet leads with heady red-toned fruit, vanilla, herbs and heavy oak spices. Saturated red and black fruit...
2019
Cliff LedeNapa Valley
Diamond Creek Vineyards, Gravelly Meadow Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Gravelly Meadow is a 2ha estate vineyard on Diamond Mountain, today owned by the Rouzaud family of Maison Louis Roederer. Loads of ripe, fresh blackberry...
2019
Diamond Creek VineyardsNapa Valley
Diamond Creek Vineyards, Red Rock Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
A velvety Cabernet packed with dark rich raspberry, cherry and blackberry fruit with pops of spearmint and eucalyptus. Elegant on the palate with emerging cocoa...
2019
Diamond Creek VineyardsNapa Valley
Harbison, Pony Express, Napa Valley, Oakville, California, USA, 2019
Harbison has 5ha of vines in prime Oakville terroir, bordering Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle. (Joe and Pat Harbison produced JP Harbison wines from 1998...
2019
HarbisonNapa Valley
Jericho Canyon, Solair, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
A 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Jericho Canyon Vineyard in Calistoga, barrel fermented and aged 22 months in French oak. Fragrant blackcurrants, pine, crushed stones,...
2019
Jericho CanyonNapa Valley
JH Wheeler, Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Lovely red- and black-toned fruit nose with tobacco spices and sweet cedar. One of the most well-knit wines in the portfolio: very fine-grained, elegant and...
2019
JH WheelerNapa Valley
JH Wheeler, Vine Hill Ranch VIneyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
From Block 3B at Vine Hill Ranch. Ethereal dark fruit and rich oak spices aromas lead to a satiny, ripe palate of black cherry, blackberry...
2019
JH WheelerNapa Valley
Julien Fayard, Sleeping Lady Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Yountville, California, USA, 2019
Consultant winemaker Julien Fayard's own label. Sourced entirely from Sleeping Lady vineyard in Yountville. Inky black fruits and cedar spices lift out of the glass....
2019
Julien FayardNapa Valley
Kinsman Eades, Rhadamanthus, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain, California, USA, 2019
The personal project of winemaker Nigel Kinsman and his wife, Shea. The name is derived from their surnames. Their first vintage was 2016 and the...
2019
Kinsman EadesNapa Valley
Larkmead Vineyards, Solari, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Crafted by winemaker Dan Petroski, who passed the torch to Avery Heelan in 2021. This was aged 18 months in mostly new French oak. Tremendously...
2019
Larkmead VineyardsNapa Valley
Melka Estates, Metisse, Martinez Vineyard, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Philippe Melka has worked with this earlier-ripening Pritchard Hill site, farmed by Mike Wolf, since 2008. The soils are iron-like and a big replant occured...
2019
Melka EstatesNapa Valley
Moone-Tsai, Cor Leonis, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
A rich 100% Cabernet sourced from valley floor sites in Coombsville, Oakville and St Helena. Full-bodied with a line of freshness that accentuates the decadent...
2019
Moone-TsaiNapa Valley
MR, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
A joint project between consultant winemakers Michel Rolland and Jean Hoefliger. Hoefliger chooses the grapes, harvests and ferments the wine, and Rolland joins for blending...
2019
MRNapa Valley
Mt Brave, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Mt Veeder, California, USA, 2019
Showcasing the lovely freshness of high-elevation Mt Veeder grapes. Vivid boysenberry and mulberry fruits give way to mountain herbs, dusty minerals and rich toasty cedar....
2019
Mt BraveNapa Valley
O'Shaughnessy Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain, California, USA, 2019
Winemaker Sean Capiaux has crafted this Howell Mountain staple for more than two decades. In 2019, he's made a knockout! Explosive aromas of ripe, black...
2019
O'Shaughnessy EstateNapa Valley
Paul Hobbs, Beckstoffer Dr Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
A 100% Cabernet from this noted St Helena site that gets plenty of sunshine and warmth. Fresh and inviting aromas of opulent black fruit, sun-scorched...
2019
Paul HobbsNapa Valley
Robert Mondavi, The Reserve To Kalon Vineyard, Napa Valley, Oakville, California, USA, 2019
This wine has proved to be one of Napa's longest-lived reds, capable of cellaring many decades. If its nose is characteristically reticent, that is to...
2019
Robert MondaviNapa Valley
Roy Estate, Mr Evans Proprietary Red, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Powerful aromas of red and black fruits, are tempered by garrigue, and oak. Full and rich, with decadent black cherry and chocolate drizzled with raspberry...
2019
Roy EstateNapa Valley
Schrader Cellars, Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Rutherford, California, USA, 2019
From a historic vineyard planted on an old creek bed – 'killer dirt', says winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown. Heady aromas of black fruit, crushed wild...
2019
Schrader CellarsNapa Valley
Schrader Cellars, RBS, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Another historic site and another opulent wine from Thomas Rivers Brown. Cabernet clone 337 delivers a fresh, high-toned, juicy red teeming with black fruit, black...
2019
Schrader CellarsNapa Valley
Stewart, Nomad Beckstoffer Dr Crane Vineyard, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Bright cranberry and raspberry aromas are tinged with dusty minerals, kirsch and oak spice. Candied red berry fruit floods the molten chocolate palate, supported by...
2019
StewartNapa Valley
Vice Versa, Beckstoffer Dr Crane Vineyard, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
An explosive Cabernet from the Beckstoffer Dr Crane Vineyard made by Philippe Melka and Maayan Koschitzky. Very high-toned aromas of red currants, tobacco and a...
2019
Vice VersaNapa Valley
