Vinous (97+)

The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard is going to need time to recover from its recent bottling. Dense, powerful and explosive, the 2015 has so much to offer. The density and resonance of the fruit is striking. Even so, the 2015 has never been more expressive than the first time I tasted it, which makes me think that the relatively long élevage favored by Phelps may be robbing the wine of some of its freshness and adding a sheen of mocha/torrefaction notes that the wine does not really need. Admittedly, these are small critiques at this level, but I am not sure Backus is quite reaching its full potential.

Wine Advocate (98)

The 2015 Insignia Proprietary Red Wine is blended of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak. Deep garnet-purple colored, it opens with stunning black and red plums, cassis and mulberries scents with loads of redcurrant sparks and compelling wafts of lilacs, pencil shavings, black olives and tilled soil plus a hint of bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate explodes with red and black currant fireworks plus some exciting mineral nuances coming through, framed by firm, grainy tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing very long and beautifully layered. 12,400 cases produced.

Wine Advocate (98)

The 2015 Insignia Proprietary Red Wine is blended of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak. Deep garnet-purple colored, it opens with stunning black and red plums, cassis and mulberries scents with loads of redcurrant sparks and compelling wafts of lilacs, pencil shavings, black olives and tilled soil plus a hint of bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate explodes with red and black currant fireworks plus some exciting mineral nuances coming through, framed by firm, grainy tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing very long and beautifully layered. 12,400 cases produced.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

A blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Merlot, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin State Lane Vineyard is pure perfection and undeniably one of the greatest wines in this terrific vintage. With a Château Latour like stature and depth, full-bodied richness, and incredible notes of blue fruits, crushed violets, tobacco, forest floor, and huge minerality, this tight, backward, concentrated 2015 is for those with patience and cold cellar, but it’s a legendary wine in the making. Bravo!

Vinous (88)

Kápcsandy's 2015 Estate Cuvée is perplexing. Neither bottle I tasted was impressive nor close to what I tasted from barrel. Sweet dried cherry, mint, dried flowers, cedar and tobacco are some of the signatures. Light in color, body and structure, the 2015 appears to be built for near term drinking. Quite frankly, I expected more.

Jeb Dunnuck (99)

From a site Chris calls their closest to Bordeaux, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain flirts with perfection and tastes like the essence of this cooler mountain terroir. Blueberries, cassis, plums, menthol, and violet notes all emerge from this full-bodied, elegant, yet incredibly sexy, seamless 2015 that has fine, fine tannin, and a finish that won’t quit. With both mouthfilling power and richness as well as elegance and finesse, it’s an incredible wine that could come from nowhere else. Drink it anytime over the coming 2-3 decades.

Wine Advocate (100)

Very deep inky purple colored, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder is a little youthfully reticent at this stage, offering glimpses at freshly crushed black currants, black berries and plums with touches of dried Provence herbs, menthol, cigar boxes and Indian spices. Full-bodied with very firm, very ripe tannins and an incredible core of black fruit, earth and spice layers, it has wonderful freshness and depth, finishing long and multilayered. 618 cases produced.

Wine Advocate (98)

Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain leaps from the glass with vibrant black currant cordial, blueberry and black cherry scents with touches of tree bark, black pepper, rose hip tea and violets. The medium to full-bodied palate has a solid structure of firm, chewy tannins supporting the muscular fruit, finishing with great freshness and plenty of latent depth. Give it another 2-3 years in bottle and drink it over the next 30+. 624 cases produced.

Wine Advocate (93+)

Bottled in July 2017, Dominus’ more approachable, less tannic sister wine, Napanook, is a blend this year of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Napanook Proprietary Red Wine is redolent of crème de cassis, potpourri, plum preserves and violets with hints of dark chocolate, menthol, licorice and charcoal. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is densely packed with black fruit preserves and earthy layers, supported by firm, ripe, fine-grained tannins and finishing with great length.

Wine Advocate (93+)

Bottled in July 2017, Dominus’ more approachable, less tannic sister wine, Napanook, is a blend this year of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Napanook Proprietary Red Wine is redolent of crème de cassis, potpourri, plum preserves and violets with hints of dark chocolate, menthol, licorice and charcoal. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is densely packed with black fruit preserves and earthy layers, supported by firm, ripe, fine-grained tannins and finishing with great length.

Wine Advocate (87)

Pale to medium ruby-purple in color, the 2015 Pinot Noir opens with delicate pomegranate and cherry cordial notes with hints of dusty earth, dried herbs and garrigue. Light-bodied and elegantly played in the mouth, the chewy tannins and seamless freshness are well juxtaposed by just enough red berry and earthy flavors, finishing with herbal notes.

Wine Advocate (87)

Pale to medium ruby-purple in color, the 2015 Pinot Noir opens with delicate pomegranate and cherry cordial notes with hints of dusty earth, dried herbs and garrigue. Light-bodied and elegantly played in the mouth, the chewy tannins and seamless freshness are well juxtaposed by just enough red berry and earthy flavors, finishing with herbal notes.

James Suckling (98)

Purity and brilliance on the nose with so much currant and flower character. Roses, currant bush and fresh leaves, too. Brightness is the word that comes to mind. Full-bodied and broad-shouldered. Juicy and so gorgeous now. Balance is so wonderful here. All about harmonious fruit and tannin balance. I like it slightly better than the excellent 2014. 81% cabernet sauvignon, 4% petit verdot, 7% cabernet franc, 6% merlot and 2% malbec. Drink or hold.

Expertly crafted, the Ovid 2015 encapsulates the essence of Napa Valley, California. Epitomising the visionary expertise of winemakers Austin Peterson and Andy Erickson, Ovid 2015 stands testament to the duo's impeccable melding of modern philosophies with age-old techniques. This Bordeaux blend is meticulously produced from a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot varieties, each grown in meticulously nurtured, organically-farmed vineyards, situated high on Pritchard Hill.

The Ovid 2015 carries an enthralling complexity, with an alluring play of blackberry and plum flavours interlaced with subtle earthy undertones and a smoky finish. The rich, velvet texture, and robust tannins promise unparalleled longevity. Each bottle speaks volumes of the precision and time invested in its making, aged for a full 21 months in French oak barrels before bottling.

Rapturously reviewed by critics globally, the Ovid 2015 reaffirms Ovid Napa Valley's standing as one of the finest producers, delivering wine of profound quality and character.

Wine Advocate (99)

Deep garnet-purple, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr Crane Vineyard leaps from the glass with opulent crème de cassis, raspberry tart and black forest cake notions plus underlying cigar box, mocha, licorice and forest floor suggestions. Full-bodied, rich, spicy and decadently generous in the mouth, it has a firm, velvety foundation and wonderful precision, featuring an invigorating lift on the very long, multilayered and provocatively earthy finish. 815 cases were made.

Wine Advocate (98+)

Inky purple-black in color, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard gives up notes of blueberry compote, preserved plums and ripe blackberries with touches of incense, dried Mediterranean herbs, menthol and aniseed plus a waft of mossy bark. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is very fine and wonderfully elegant, with incredibly ripe, silt-like tannins and just enough freshness to support the black and blue fruit layers, finishing on a lingering exotic spice note. This beauty should age very well indeed. 353 cases were made.

Wine Advocate (98)

Deep purple-black in color, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard opens with seducing notes of crushed black currants, blueberry compote and dried mulberries with hints of spice cake, sandalwood, dried roses and star anise plus a touch of smoked meats. Full-bodied, rich, ripe and densely packed, the opulent fruit is superbly framed by velvety tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with lingering spice layers. 758 cases were made.

Vinous (94)

The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Nathan Coombs Estate is endowed with serious power and depth. Succulent red cherry, spice, savory herb and floral overtones give the wine much of its personality. This striking, brilliant Coombsville Cabernet has a bright future. I would give it a few years for the formidable tannins to soften.

Wine Advocate (96+)

The 2015 Iubileus wants to present Gualtallary through a Malbec, even though there is some Cabernet Franc co-fermented with it. It's expressive and floral, with something earthy, a mixture of red and black fruit and a gentler palate. This is from Gualtallary at 1,300 meters in altitude, from 11-year-old vines on alluvial soils where the boulders are covered with calcium carbonate. The Malbec fermented in rolling barrels and the Cabernet Franc in open-top barrels. It matured in used barriques for 16 months. It's nuanced and floral, harmonious and terribly balanced. It's powerful and concentrated but with acidity and freshness. 2015 shows the power of Malbec but only within the right context; if isolated, it would be really subtle, elegant and fragrant. This is simply superb. 1,020 bottles were filled unfiltered in September 2016.

Harkening from the exquisite vineyards of Napa Valley, the PerUs Napa Kyla 2015 is an enchanting blend born out of passion and precision. A unique melange of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Petit Verdot, this masterpiece is carefully harvested manually to inherit the true essence of the terroir. The berries undergo an assiduous selection process, ensuring the highest quality and profound complexity.

Established by businessman M. Russo, PerUs leans into the expertise of winemaker Russell Bevan. Their dedication to producing limited quantities with a relentless focus on quality has resulted in this captivating wine, steeped in opulence and expressing notes of ripe blackberry, cherry and hints of cedar. Aged for 22 months in 80% new French oak barrels, PerUs Napa Kyla 2015 provides a sublime finish, leaving the palate craving for more.

A symphony of flavour and craftsmanship, the PerUs Napa Kyla 2015 encapsulates the true spirit of Napa Valley’s grandeur, designed for the true connoisseur.

Vinous (92)

The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Tanbark Hill is soft, succulent and inviting, all of which make it a super-appealing wine to drink now and over the next decade or so. The radiance and fruit intensity of the year comes through nicely, and yet the wine retains its classic, mid-weight sense of structure and overall feel. Crushed flowers and sweet spice add lift in this gracious, pretty wine from Togni.

James Suckling (99)

Insane aromas of lavender, blackberries, wet earth and ripe yet fresh fruit. Full body with very deep fruit, pine needles and hints of chocolate and cedar. Very long and wonderfully polished. This has wonderful depth and focus. Release in 2021. Better after 2024.

James Suckling (99)

Insane aromas of lavender, blackberries, wet earth and ripe yet fresh fruit. Full body with very deep fruit, pine needles and hints of chocolate and cedar. Very long and wonderfully polished. This has wonderful depth and focus. Release in 2021. Better after 2024.

Vinous (96)

(72% of this wine came from Champoux vineyard): Dark red-ruby. Pungent aromas of ripe dark berries, licorice and cedary oak. Wonderfully suave and fine-grained, boasting terrific concentration, intensity and energy to its dark berry and African violet flavors. This very suave Cabernet finishes with terrific cocoa-powder length and substantial but refined mounting tannins. Paul Golitzin told me that he always aims to get two tons of fruit per acre--either by nature or through crop thinning. And he noted that his family now has full viticultural control over all of their properties. (15.2% on label, like all of the Quilceda Creek '15s)

James Suckling (97)

Aromas of blue fruits, blackberries, tile and lead pencil. Full body, firm tannins and a fresh, bright finish. Layered and intense with white-pepper and salt undertones. Love the finish to this racy young wine. Beautiful blue fruits! Drink in 2020 and onwards. From biodynamic grapes.

Vinous (95)

The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is a rich, heady wine full of near and medium-term appeal. Inky dark fruit, crushed rocks, spice and menthol open effortlessly, filling out the layers nicely. The 2015 is racy, deep and impressively constituted. Moreover, its a great example of both this site and vintage. I loved it.

Wine Advocate (97)

Blended of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, the 2015 The Bard offers up a very deep garnet-purple color and highly perfumed scents of violets, dried Provence herbs, lavender and tapenade over a core of cassis and blackberry preserves. Full-bodied and loaded with perfumed black fruit layers, it has a solid frame of rounded, plush-textured tannins and a provocatively earthy finish. 2,000 cases were made.

Vinous (93)

Deep red. Powerful aromas of ripe dark berries, cherry cola and pungent flowers are complemented by woodsmoke and mocha nuances. Juicy and expansive on the palate, offering bitter cherry, blackberry and spicecake flavors that become livelier and sweeter with air. Finishes smooth, broad and impressively long, with delivering building spiciness and harmonious tannins that lend gentle grip to the intense berry fruit.

Vinous (94+)

The 2015 Lytton Springs is very, very closed. Readers should not think about opening a bottle anytime soon. Intensely aromatic, but also tightly wound, the 2015 only hints at its true potential. Deceptively medium in body, the 2015 packs a real punch.