Value Napa Cabernet 2019: the top buys
With the famous wines costing several thousand pounds a bottle, Napa Cabernet is rarely considered a bargain. But there is value to be had if you know where to look. Decanter's Napa correspondent Jonathan Cristaldi reveals how get the most from your money and picks out his best 54 buys from the 2019 Napa Cabernet vintage.
QUICK LINK 2019 Napa Cabernet: full vintage report and top-scoring wines
Opus One, Harlan, Screaming Eagle, Scarecrow, Schafer and Beaulieu Vineyards Georges de Latour. They’re the cult Napa Cabs everyone wants to try – better yet to have a case in the cellar. But the fact is, a single bottle is going to cost you well into triple and often quadruple digits.
Scroll down for Jonathan Cristaldi’s top-value Napa Cabernets from the 2019 vintage
Take the Oakville AVA’s famous To Kalon vineyard. I awarded one of my five perfect 100-point scores in 2019 to AXR’s Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet which, at $225 a bottle, is tremendous value seeing as other Beckstoffer To Kalon wines can be easily twice as much.
Elsewhere in Oakville, while the elegant, structured bottlings from Harlan and Screaming Eagle are between $1,500 and $4,000 each, you might opt for one of the robust, rich Cabernets from Harbison. It’s an estate that shares a border with Screaming Eagle and its 2019 Horseshoe cuvée (99 points) will set you back about $325.
For an even better relative bargain, look for the mineral-rich Patria, Oakville Ranch Cabernet (95 points). Anthony Biagi’s flagship higher-elevation bottling is a steal at $100.
Great sites and modest scores
Taking stock of Napa’s great sites is another way to understand value. The Sleeping Lady Vineyard in the Yountville AVA is fast becoming a consultant winemaker’s dream, with Julien Fayard, Nigel Kinsman, Jean Hoefliger and Chris Phelps all sourcing grapes here. Phelps’ 2019 Ad Vivum is a standout bottling from the vineyard (98 points) – and the best-priced at $175.
At the Napa Valley’s northern tip, Calistoga tends to get quite hot, but careful picking can lead to elegant wines. In 2019, I found several Cabernets here that offered structure and complexity far beyond their price points. I relished the purity and impressive depth of Clos Pegase’s Hommage Tenma Vineyard (95 points, $130), but for sheer bang for your buck you can’t go past the restraint and beauty of Chateau Montelena’s The Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (99 points, $200).
Seeking value by scores alone in 2019, Cameron Hughes’ De Negoce Lot 250 Hillside Cabernet (94 points, $49) is exceptional value. Very modestly priced, too, is the Experience Cabernet (89 points, $30). Sadly, too few 2019 Napa Cabs under $100 crossed my desk for this report. But I’m determined to seek them out for subsequent ones.
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
Value Napa Cabernet 2019: the best buys
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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
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
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
Stone the Crows, Three Twins Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
<p>Fresh, lifted, and resonant with blueberry, blackberry, graphite, and dried violets. Terrifically juicy on entry, packed with ripe fruit redolent of blueberry, black cherry, and...
2019
Stone the CrowsNapa 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
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
Antica, Townsend Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Atlas Peak, California, USA, 2019
From Piero Antinori's 9.7ha Townsend Vineyard planted at 487m and overlooking Rector Canyon. Bright red berry fruit is tinged with cinnamon spices on the nose,...
2019
AnticaNapa Valley
Gentleman Farmer Wines, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll, California, USA, 2019
Jérôme Chéry, longtime winemaker for Saintsbury, and Littorai before that, makes this wine for Jeff Durham, whose family has farmed vines in the Oak Knoll...
2019
Gentleman Farmer WinesNapa Valley
Swanson Vineyards, Alexis Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Nose of blackberry and raspberry, dried herbs de Provence and red florals. Lovely concentration on the palate, with lacy red fruit, graphite notes, silky tannins...
2019
Swanson VineyardsNapa Valley
Tor, Tierra Roja Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Oakville, California, USA, 2019
Just 13 barrels made from 1.6ha site by Jeff Ames. Big, bold aromas of earth, cumin and fennel, along with red and black fruits leap....
2019
TorNapa Valley
Turnbull, Fortuna Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Oakville, California, USA, 2019
Lavish toasty oak spices mingle with toffee and brandied fruit aromas. The silky palate reveals juicy blackberry and blueberry compote, balanced by emerging savoury notes...
2019
TurnbullNapa Valley
Accendo Cellars, Laurea, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Winemaker Françoise Pechon has produced the wines here from the first vintage in 2013. A mix of Darnajou, Taransaud and Sylvain coopers provide a tapestry...
2019
Accendo CellarsNapa Valley
Clos Pegase, Hommage Tenma Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Calistoga, California, USA, 2019
Winemaker Robin Akhurst, a protégé of Thomas Rivers Brown, sources grapes from the oldest vines in this 16ha vineyard in the foothills of Mount St...
2019
Clos PegaseNapa Valley
Davies Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, St Helena, California, USA, 2019
Dark, brooding nose of blackberry and black cherry with dark-roasted espresso, vanilla and cedar. An imminently satisfying soft mouthfeel shows plump, fleshy blackberry coulis, kirsch...
2019
Davies VineyardsNapa Valley
Etude, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
A real pleasure cruise! Alluring red berry fruit dusted with crushed minerals, coffee beans and dried herbs. Exceedingly plush palate with silken layers of blackberry,...
2019
EtudeNapa Valley
Lost Parcels, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Sourced from Howell Mountain, Spring Mountain and Mount Veeder AVAs, as well as other vineyards above 420m. Blackberry, graphite, graham cracker crust and white pepper...
2019
Lost ParcelsNapa Valley
Oakville Ranch, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Oakville, California, USA, 2019
A stalwart producer from this AVA and just 275 cases were made of this decadent, richly scented Cabernet. Lush blueberry and black cherry compote notes...
2019
Oakville RanchNapa Valley
Patria, Oakville Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Oakville, California, USA, 2019
Beautiful purple florals, red and black currants, coffee bean, vanilla, cedar and cocoa nose. Satiny dark berry fruit palate with an ethereal texture – it's...
2019
PatriaNapa Valley
Silverado Vineyards, Solo Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District, California, USA, 2019
Winemaker Jon Emmerich knows exactly what to do with the heritage clones of Cabernet that make up this stunner. It's got all the bells and...
2019
Silverado VineyardsNapa Valley
Acumen, Peak Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
<p>98% Cabernet Sauvignon with 2% Malbec. Fragrant black fruit, liquorice, dried herbs, rose petals, smoked meat and coffee. Beautifully delineated palate of black currants, black...
2019
AcumenNapa Valley
Arietta, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Andy Erickson harvests Coombsville blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon, which undergo native yeast fermentation and barrel aging for 20 months in French oak. Dark and alluring...
2019
AriettaNapa Valley
Ballard Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain, 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...
2019
Ballard VineyardNapa Valley
Beaulieu Vineyard, Winemaker's Selection Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Rutherford, California, USA, 2019
Enticing aromas of black cherry, blueberry, black liquorice, coffee and dried herbs with cedar freshness. Broad and expansive palate with the same flavours as the...
2019
Beaulieu VineyardNapa Valley
Covert, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Coombsville, California, USA, 2019
From the winery's 1.6ha east-facing estate vineyard. A richly scented nose of blackcurrants and black tea with toasty oak spice. Big, bold, unabashed and juicy...
2019
CovertNapa Valley
Crossbarn, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Fresh, lifted aromas of black cherry tinged with savoury black olive, liquorice and cedar. Full-bodied and plush with a dense, dark-fruited palate, sanguine minerality, blood-orange...
2019
CrossbarnNapa Valley
Davies Vineyards, JD Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain, California, USA, 2019
Spice plums, mulberry blackberry, thyme and chocolate on the nose. Sweet ripe fruit rides a wave of satiny tannins that mingle in the mouth with...
2019
Davies VineyardsNapa Valley
De Negoce, Lot 250 Hillside Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Rutherford, California, USA, 2019
This label from Cameron Hughes aims to maximize his longtime wine-country connections in the négociant model. Rich aromas of black cherry, cedar, purple florals, graphite...
2019
De NegoceNapa Valley
Theorize, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Consultant winemaker Jean Hoefliger seeks cooler sites in Napa (Yountville and Oak Knoll) with the aim of making a fruity, upfront, accessible wine. Grapes were...
2019
TheorizeNapa Valley
Black Stallion, Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Aged for 18 months in French oak, of which 65% is new. Tight aromatically, offering subtle hints of red and black fruit, currants, sandalwood and...
2019
Black StallionNapa Valley
Chimney Rock, SLD Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District, California, USA, 2019
<p>Winemaker and general manager Elizabeth Vianna first began working at Chimney Rock as a harvest intern in 1999, and has served as president of the...
2019
Chimney RockNapa Valley
Clos du Val, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Enticing caramel-coated dark fruit, rich toffee, mocha, cardamom and liquorice. A rush of juicy blackberry fruit meets fleshy plum, chicory and brown baking spices on...
2019
Clos du ValNapa Valley
Clos Pegase, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Classic nose of black cherry, blackberry, plum, wild herbs and graphite. Fresh, lifted and energetic on the medium-bodied palate, with red- and black-toned fruits, robust,...
2019
Clos PegaseNapa Valley
Covenant, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
From Jeff Morgan, a former wine critic and saxophonist. Dar, brooding aromas of cherry and raspberry liqueurs, violets and cassis. Sweet, ripe blackberry and boysenberry...
2019
CovenantNapa Valley
Flora Springs, Trilogy, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Opens to a nose of blackberries, spiced plum, liquorice, fennel and cedar. A real palate-etching red with immense concentration, and a nice line of saline...
2019
Flora SpringsNapa Valley
Girard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Calistoga, California, USA, 2019
Winemaker Glenn Hugo sources most of his Cabernet grapes from the Tenma vineyard in the Jericho Canyon area of northeastern Calistoga, where vines are planted...
2019
GirardNapa Valley
Pope Valley Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Originally known as the Burgundy Winery & Olive Oil Factory, this winery is owned by Sam Eakle and his children David and Dianna Eakle Hawkins....
2019
Pope Valley WineryNapa Valley
Purlieu, Le Pich Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Julien Fayard's first made Le Pich in 2011; this vintage is sourced from vineyards in Oak Knoll, Rutherford and Coombsville. Enticing dark cassis aromas with...
2019
PurlieuNapa Valley
Schrader Cellars, Double Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Oakville, California, USA, 2019
Winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown says this is sourced from the younger vines in To Kalon and a vineyard on Oakville Cross Road. High-toned red berry...
2019
Schrader CellarsNapa Valley
Smith Devereux, Nancy's Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll, California, USA, 2019
This 100% Cabernet comes from partners Ian Devereux (a writer and musician), Steve Smith (a music act manager) and John Anthony Truchard, who was raised...
2019
Smith DevereuxNapa Valley
Smith-Madrone, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain, 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...
2019
Smith-MadroneNapa Valley
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Dark black fruit, brighter blue fruit and lavish oak spices fill the nose. Medium bodied yet rich on the palate, with juicy blackberry and black...
2019
Stag's Leap Wine CellarsNapa Valley
Gibbs, Three Clones Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, St Helena, California, USA, 2019
Cabernet Sauvignon clones 5, 15 and 337 are responsible for this savoury-spiced, easy-drinking wine. Aromatic and immediately creamy with ripe red berry fruit notes, baking...
2019
GibbsNapa Valley
Girard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain, California, USA, 2019
From winemaker Glenn Hugo, a very pretty, initially reserved wine, but give it some time to reveal its elegant crushed stone minerality, cherry and raspberry...
2019
GirardNapa Valley
Farella, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Coombsville, California, USA, 2019
From the heart of the Coombsville AVA. Fragrant and bright red fruit tinged with cinnamon and currants with crushed wild sage. Bold, ripe and flavoursome...
2019
FarellaNapa Valley
Honig Vineyard & Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Aged 18 months in French and American oak which gives fragrant toastiness, sweet toffee and caramel notes, with muddled boysenberry fruit behind. Broad and palate-coating...
2019
Honig Vineyard & WineryNapa Valley
Louis M Martini, Winemaker's Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Michael Eddy has produced a fine wine here, exhibiting bright red berry fruit, vanilla and sweet oak spice aromas. Medium-bodied with ample freshness, with flavorus...
2019
Louis M MartiniNapa Valley
Napa Cellars, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Winemaker Joe Shirley has been leading the cellar here since 2007. This opens with with rich black forest cake flavours, graphite and a penetrating core...
2019
Napa CellarsNapa Valley
New Frontier Wine Co, Pursuit Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Fragrant toasty oak, cherries and vanilla. On the palate, there's plump and tangy mixed berries, plums and dusty tannins. Finishes with wild herbs and brown...
2019
New Frontier Wine CoNapa Valley
Nichelini Family Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Chiles Valley, California, USA, 2019
From the Chiles Valley AVA in the hills east of St Helena. Aimée Sunseri the fifth-generation of the Nichelini family, crafted this enticing red with...
2019
Nichelini Family WineryNapa Valley
Stardust Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
This single-vineyard wine offers alluring black cherry, chocolate and mint, giving way to more savoury black tea and smoky mineral notes. Medium-bodied with plump juicy...
2019
Stardust Napa ValleyNapa Valley
Clockwise, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Yountville, California, USA, 2019
Brandied cherry, caramel, earth and violets give way to a medium-bodied, plush red marked by a streak of vanilla that pierces the juicy red and...
2019
ClockwiseNapa Valley
Experience, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2019
Baked cherries, caramel and oak spices arouse the senses and emerge on the palate, building fruit layers of blueberry and juicy cherry. Soft tannins and...
2019
ExperienceNapa Valley
The Vice, Batch 60 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Oakville, California, USA, 2019
With 20 months' ageing in new French oak barrels, this unfiltered and unfined 100% Cabernet leads with brandied cherries and red-toned floral notes. Weighty palate...
2019
The ViceNapa Valley
