Palmaz Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2018

19th-century roots, advanced production facilities, and exquisite, sprawling lands prop up Palmaz Vineyards’ enchanting reputation. Today, the family business produces modern vintages of several varieties of wine from their 600-acre estate in southern Napa Valley, against the backdrop of Mount George, including this beautifully refined and well-integrated cabernet sauvignon from the copiously praised 2018 vintage.

The Palmaz family bought the estate in 1991 – a then crumbling winery and old house plopped amid acres of rolling Napa Valley vineyards and forestland. It was once Cedar Knoll Vineyard and Winery, founded by one of Napa’s pioneer winemakers, Henry Hagen, in 1881. He produced captivating wines that were even featured at the San Francisco Opera House and served among high society in the city, and his brandy won a silver medal at L’Exposition Universelle de Paris 1889 World’s Fair. After he passed away in 1895, his family didn’t share his same passion for winemaking, and the estate officially fell to abandonment when Prohibition arrived in 1919.

Where others might have seen a decrepit property, Julio and Amalia Palmaz saw the utmost potential, if given the right amount of care and dedication. After purchasing the estate in ‘91, they poured their all into rebuilding it into something worthy of a Bond villain, delving deep into the earth for a gravity flow facility that is one of the most impressive architectural pieces in all of Napa Valley. Now their children – Florencia, Christian, and Christian’s wife Jessica – help run the winery and property, crafting magnificent and modern wine from their 64 acres of vineyards in this envious, state-of-the-art facility. The parcels sit on more than 14 distinctive terroirs with unique soil types at three elevations (400, 1,200, and 1,400 feet). In the production facility, 24 fermentation tanks allow the winemaking team to block-ferment the fruit from different parcels across the property and analyze, taste, and blend the wines from each separate growing area.

This cabernet was grown in the absolutely mind-blowing 2018 season, sitting amongst the top vintages of the past two decades. The weather was considered mild, easy, and predictable – a trifecta for growers hoping for exceptional yields and flavor profiles. The grapes were able to ripen optimally – without overripening – and the integrity of the fruit has shown to be pristine.

The quality of the season absolutely translates through to the glass, with a gloriously balanced and deep cabernet that will make even the choosiest of cab diehards swoon. Aging for 20 months on 92% new French oak, the rich cab opens with heaps of smooth and juicy blackberry, blueberry, huckleberry, black cherry, and black currant aromas – while the palate takes on the experience of a mixed berry pie with some cassis, toasted vanilla bean, cigar box, dry sage, and cocoa powder flawlessly integrated. The tannins are supremely fine, generating a splendidly smooth and round mouthfeel and a finish that lasts a solid 60-plus seconds. An absolute benchmark of Napa cabernet – and one that any connoisseur would be delighted to have in their glass. We have super-limited numbers, so don’t wait on this one...make it yours now!

PAIRING IDEAS: Something rich and hearty, with a little spice, can be excellent with Napa cabernet!