Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 vintage Tasting at Wine Watch

Critics have done the wine industry a lot of good overall.
Robert Mondavi

Cabernet Sauvignon is the most popular red wine in the world today and when it comes to immediate gratification wines this varietal it is hard to beat.  Most people know about Napa Valley's Cabernet Sauvignon and although it only accounts for around 3-5% of the total production in terms of volume it is probably closer to 40-50% of all the total volume in terms of dollars.   And tonight, we are going to show you the money wines as I get ready for my trip to Napa Valley for Premier week in February.  I thought it would be good to do a little homework before my visit and host a new release party of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon here at Wine Watch.

The Cabernet Sauvignon grape is a relatively new invention in the world of grape varietals, it is the result of the combination of a white varietal Sauvignon Blanc and a red grape Cabernet Franc crossed by some mad grape scientist in southwest France in the 17th century.  Because of its thick skin and relative ease of cultivation this varietal has spread around the world and makes high quality full bodied red wines in many parts of the wine world.

Napa Valley has experienced several outstanding vintages in a row with 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 and we will be showcasing Napa Valley wines from these last five vintages at this tasting.  Napa Valley makes some of the most expensive wine on earth and whenever we get a change to offer one of its top wines at the best price in the country we say – How much do you have??? And I usually take everything that is available to me like the deal we just got on the 2015 Robert Mondai To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve.

I always say you can't drink points, but you are going to pay for them and with top vineyards like To Kalon in Napa you are going to pay regardless of points as the dirt is that valuable today.  There are no wines made from the 450 acres of the To Kalon Vineyard that you can buy today for under $100 per bottle retail, most of them are $200+ per bottle and many are over $500!

Those of you that have been following the Wine Watch e-mail know how I feel about Robert Mondavi Winery and if anyone deserves $100 for a bottle of wine in Napa it is the late great Robert Mondavi.  We are always concerned when a big company takes over a little winery, but Robert Mondavi winery was a big winery when Constellation Brands took over in 2004 and if anything, the wines have improved since.

This 2015 vintage is an outstanding one for Napa and with most of the top wines that scored (95 Points) or higher are over $200 per bottle- that makes this wine looks like an incredible value!!

Robert Mondavi Reserve To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa 2015
Suggested Retail Price: $175.00                  Sale $114.75      
(6pk case) $599.00 (We can’t print the bottle price but that is under $100 per bottle!!)

(96+ Points) Composed of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon To Kalon Reserve features a deep garnet-purple color and wonderfully expressive nose of creme de cassis, preserved plums and black forest cake with hints of cigar boxes, aniseed, dark chocolate and forest floor. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated in the mouth, the ripe, opulent black fruit is well supported by velvety tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and spicy.    Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Wine Advocate, October 31, 2017

California Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the easiest wine tastings to sell, can you say immediate gratification… don’t wait to respond or this KILLER deal on one of Napa valley’s top wines or it will be gone!!   And don’t wait to respond to this is a walk around tasting in the Wine Cave as we are limited to 50 tasters.  The fee for this tasting is $75 + tax for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting at Wine Watch
Friday, February 8th
7:30pm

Twenty One Wines and Spirits

2014 Wolf Family Vineyard Phaedrus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa
Price: $52.50       Sale $46.20

Palazzo Left Bank Napa 2016
Price: $48.75       Sale $42.90

Volker Eiselie Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2013
Price: $60.00       Sale $52.80

Hoopes Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2014
Price: $54.00       Sale $47.52

Carte Blanche Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2014  
Price: $149.75    Sale $131.78

Curvature Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2013
Price: $49.75       Sale $43.78

Stacole

Lewis Cellars Alecs Blend Napa 2016
Price: $73.25       Sale $64.46

Ghost Block Zinfandel Pelissa Vineyard Napa 2016         
Price: $37.25       Sale $32.78

Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Napa  2016       
Price: $72.75       Sale $64.02

Pahlmeyer Jayson Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2016
Price: $89.00       Sale $78.32

Miner Cabernet Sauvignon Emily's 2016
Price: $46.25       Sale $40.70

Rombauer Merlot Napa 2016
Price: $50.75       Sale $44.66

Eighty Four Albarino Napa 2017
Price: $31.25       Sale $27.50

Breakthru

2014 Stags Leap Winery the Investor Napa
Price: $43.50    Your Price: $38.28

2014 Etude Cabernet Sauvignon Napa
Price: $101.50    Your Price: $89.32

2016 Beringer Vineyards Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $27.00    Your Price: $23.76

2014 Beaulieu Vineyards Tapestry Napa
Price: $45.00    Your Price: $39.60

2013 Hewitt Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Napa
Price: $135.00    Your Price: $118.80

2014 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve Napa
Price: $169.50    Your Price: $149.16

2015 Stags' Leap The Leap Cabernet Sauvignon Napa
Price: $101.25    Sale $89.10

Southern Wine and Spirits

Chimney Rock Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2016
Price: $112.50    Sale $99.00

Cuttings Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2016
Price: $39.00       Sale $34.32

Faust Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2016
Price: $57.00       Sale $50.16

Trefethen Cabernet Sauvignon Napa  2016
Price: $37.50       Sale $33.00

Bella Union Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2016       
Price: $75.00       Sale $66.00

Centered Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2016
Price: $30.00       Sale $26.40

Akrasia Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2014
Price: $55.50       Sale $48.84

Rudd Cabernet Sauvignon “Samantha’s Vineyard” Napa 2014
Price: $187.50    Sale $165.00

Mt Brave Malbec Mt Veeder Napa 2015
Price: $75.00       Sale $66.00

Mayacama Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2013
Price: $127.25    Sale $111.87

Snowden The Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Price: $58.50       Sale $51.48

Vine Cliff Orignial blend Napa 2013
Price: $87.00       Sale $76.56

Republic National

Foley Johnson Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford 2016
Price: $35.00       Sale $30.80

Kuelto Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2016

Menu
Selection of Charcuterie and Cheese
Panko Chicken Bites with Blackberry Catsup
Fig Prociutto Pizza with Balsamic drizzle and fresh basil
Maple Bacon Beef Sliders with white English Cheddar

The Fee for this tasting is $75 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.