Spring Mountain 2019: top Cabernets from this Napa AVA
This tiny northerly AVA, perched on steep terraces in the Mayacamas range which divides the Napa and Sonoma valleys, enjoyed a stellar Cabernet Sauvignon vintage in 2019. Decanter's Napa correspondent Jonathan Cristaldi picks out the best buys.
QUICK LINK 2019 Napa Cabernet: full vintage report and top-scoring wines
This mountain AVA is nestled between 120m and 640m amid the northern and eastern slopes of Napa Valley’s Mayacamas range. And the 2019 vintage has been described as ‘stunning’ for Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon.
Scroll down for the top-scoring Spring Mountain 2019 Cabernets
In 2019, winter rains were substantial – more so than in 2018 – and the growing season was ideal without excessive heat or major weather events.
‘It was a picture-perfect cool to warm harvest: even and slow, with no heat spikes and just ideal harvest temperatures,’ says Stu Smith of Smith-Madrone.
He explained that the wines had excellent flavour development, with low sugars and tremendous colour extraction, as well as great balance between acidity and pH levels.
‘In short, it’s a stunning vintage for Cabernet Sauvignon!’
Spring Mountain 2019: the top-performing producers
- Newton
- Smith-Madrone
- Vineyard 7 & 8
- Terra Valentine
Cristaldi’s value picks
93 points Barnett Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain, Napa Valley 2019
93 points Smith-Madrone, Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain, Napa Valley 2019
QUICK LINKS
Napa Cabernet 2019 – individual analysis by AVA:
Calistoga | Coombsville | Howell Mountain | Oakville | Rutherford | St Helena | Stags Leap District | Other Napa Valley AVAs
PLUS: Top-value Napa Cabernet 2019 – the best to buy
Spring Mountain 2019: the top-scoring Cabernets
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Fresh and enticing aromas of plums, cherry, blood orange and toasty oak spices. Expansive on entry with deep saturated black fruit. Full bodied with terrific...
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Ballard Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain, Napa Valley, California, USA 2019
The first vintage from consultant winemaker Jean Hoefliger, sourced from a site on top of Spring Mountain. Incredibly fresh nose with beautiful pops of wild...
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Newton, Single-Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain, Napa Valley, California, USA 2019
Aromas of mountain herbs, black fruits, sagebrush and crushed stones. Saturated black fruit floods the palate teeming with chocolate and baking spices all supported by...
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Terra Valentine, Foretell Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain, Napa Valley, California, USA 2019
Heady aromas of black cherry, spiced plum, conifer, wet terracotta and new oak cedar freshness. Plenty of energy and poise on the palate, loaded with...
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Barnett, Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain, Napa Valley, California, USA 2019
Expressive dark fruit, graphite and cigar box aromas. Pure, rich and fresh palate of ripe blackberries, chalk-like minerality, earth and pops of mint and thyme....
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Smith-Madrone, Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain, Napa Valley, California, USA 2019
The classic Cabernet from Smith-Madrone may be the best value in the entire Napa Valley at $65. Old World elegance is ever present, along with...
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