Napa new releases to drink in 2019

After a series of challenging years characterised by climatic extremes, 2019 delivers some highly anticipated Napa wine releases...

We can’t forget the excessive rain and wildfires that have blighted California over the last few years, but winemakers have battled on through.

2019 brings an array of wines to drink, including 2015 reserve wines, plenty of 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon and red blends, 2017 Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, and an exciting lineup of whites and rosés from the bountiful 2018 vintage.

My selection below showcases the variety of expressions that Napa Valley has to offer, from both established and new producers.

Recent Napa vintages – what to expect

The 2015 vintage was challenging and small: ‘The flowering was extremely long with rain, wind and heat spikes all conspiring to reduce yields’, explains winemaker Aaron Pott.

2016 is shaping up to be one of the best vintages in the history of Napa Valley. It was an excellent growing season with a good crop. The Cabernets are very dark in colour and intense in flavour, with tons of structure. The combination of ripe tannins, good acidity and fruit density created wines that are fairly approachable now but also have excellent ageing potential.

2017 proved to be fairly even, with a shorter growing season, while 2018 generated large crops with plenty of quality.

So in 2019 we have many reasons to celebrate the hard work from both Mother Nature and the vintners, with plenty of great wines to drink.

Napa wines to drink in 2019:

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