As there’s a tradition of people seeking special gifts for the holidays, if you are looking for a wine splurge, California Cabernet Sauvignon is a great place to start. The following recommendations are the best California Cabs I tasted this year. As a bonus, each of these wines has the capacity to age well and improve with time.
2020 Daou “Soul of a Lion” Paso Robles ($150) named after the founders’ father, this powerful, complex wine naturally is the crown jewel of the winery’s production; 81% cabernet sauvignon, 13% cabernet franc, 6% petit verdot from estate vineyards in the Adelaida District of Paso Robles; intense, blackberry, blackcurrants fruit, savory notes of tobacco, leather, graphite, truffle, cocoa, full-bodied, with a firm structure, yet soft mouthfeel
2018 Ladera “Reserve” Napa Valley ($179) this 100% cab is sourced from Ladera’s high elevation estate vineyard (Ladera means “hillside” in Spanish) on Howell Mountain, directly opposite the winery along the Silverado Trail, just east of Calistoga; concentrated, flawlessly ripe blueberry, cassis, with mocha, cedar, rocky loam, and a hint of mint, it’s full-bodied, rich and velvety, intense, with amazing energy
2020 Paul Hobbs “Coombsville” ($120) Paul Hobbs is one of the most highly respected winemakers and consultants on the planet; based in Sonoma, his eponymous winery consistently produces top quality wines from Sonoma and Napa vineyards; this one’s 100% cab from vineyards located at the southeastern edge of the Napa Valley at the foot of the Vaca Mountains; concentrated black cherries, cassis, and blackberries, with notes of tobacco, cinnamon, earth and toast; it’s full-bodied, wrapped in velvety texture
2017 Mount Veeder “Reserve” ($125) producing wine from high elevation vineyards on Mayacamas Mountains hillsides in the Mt. Veeder AVA on the westside of Napa Valley; 88% cabernet sauvignon, 6% malbec, 6% merlot; intense, succulent black and blue fruits, enticing touches of warm spices, light char, earthy, herbaceous, mineral notes, all held together with fresh, powerful tannins
2018 Gundlach-Bundschu “Vintage Reserve” 160th Anniversary ($140) these families have farmed the (now regenerative organic) Rhinefarm estate vineyard since 1858; this limited bottling is from the west slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains in the Sonoma Valley AVA; 82% cabernet sauvignon, with cabernet franc, malbec, merlot and petit verdot; its bright cassis, blackberry fruit opens to fresh earth, herbs, and complimentary oak, finishing with elegant tannins
2019 Kendall-Jackson “Estates Collection” Hawkeye Mountain ($70) the Estates Collection showcases many of the best Jackson family-owned vineyards; the high-elevation Hawkeye Mountain estate rises to 2,400 feet in Sonoma’s Alexander Valley; it boasts deep red berries with fluid mineral, tobacco, and cedar notes, and glides elegantly along the polished palate muscular, yet soft tannins