From the eastern side of Howell Mountain, this estate grown red is a blend of 89.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5.3% Cab Franc, 4.7% Merlot, with a pinch of Malbec. Concentrated and opulent, with creamy boysenberry, black tea, and cinnamon spice. With a high tone profile, and a base of graphite, its athletic prowess is deep-rooted. ~
Steeped plum and blackberry fruit shows good density, while light accents of apple wood, singed anise and bramble add range and texture through the finish. Offers solid grip. Best from 2025 through 2036. 508 cases made. ~ Wine Spectator
From a winery in Pope Valley, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Ultimate Red is a slightly herbal, slightly dusty-earthy wine, with decent underlying cassis and black cherry fruit. It’s full-bodied, framed by similarly dusty tannins and some hints of dry cedar on the finish. — Wine Advocate
A selection of top lots from the estate’s Pope Valley holdings, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Audax saw about 50% new French oak, leaving it with some smoky, toasty nuances on the nose. There are also plenty of sage-like herbal notions, plus cassis, plum and vanilla notes. It’s full-bodied, richly textured and creamy-plush in feel, coming
Richly flavored and full-bodied, this Cabernet Sauvignon delivers palate coating presence with notes of ripe black plum, spiced cocoa, and a savory finish. The tannins are velvety and persistent through a long, juicy finish. ~ Wine Enthusiast
Juicy, mouthwatering and savory, with flavors of dark fruits, spices, and a coffee accent, this Cabernet Sauvignon is full-bodied with supple while abundant tannins, balancing acidity, and a very long finish. — Elaine Chukan Brown, The Wine Enthusiast – 90
The stunning 2021 ‘Audax’ is a dense and decadent bottling that has a long way to go in the cellar. Stored in 50% new French oak for 27 months, this delivers full-bodied loganberry cordial, mocha, tar and freshly tilled loamy soils on the palate, alongside shades of milk chocolate. Big and bold, enjoy this broad-shouldered
A stunning wine made from mainly Cabernet Sauvignon with lesser portions Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, this spent 22 months in 40% new French oak before bottling. This is dense and heady stuff, loaded with black currants, tobacco leaf, blackberry compote and mocha tones. Enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2024-2034- 93
Deep purple color. The nose shows gorgeous currants, black cherries, and cassis, with evocative notes of pepper, sage, menthol, mint, and a host of earthy, gravelly, stony aromas that need time so show their full effect. The palate shows tart, welcome acidity, framing the grippy tannins well, and sporting a dark core of currants, plums,
Vibrant purple color. Such an inviting nose, with dark, tangy currants and plums, plenty of savory nuances (tar, tobacco, pepper) with herbal earthy tones (tobacco, eucalyptus, red pepper flakes) – a lot of fun to swirl and sniff. The palate is framed with fresh acidity and grippy tannins that show the more refined edges. The
Aromas of leafy herbs, blackcurrants, wet stone and ink. Full-bodied with soft, silky tannins. Juicy and succulent fruit on the palate, with some lovely mineral notes poking through. Steady and nicely balanced. Nice length, too. Drink or hold.
Inviting aromas of wet minerals, black licorice, ground spice, and dried herbs. Full-bodied with silky tannins. Linear and long. Plenty of gravel and wet-stone complexity here. Nicely composed. Drink or hold.
4 ½ kisses | 95 points The name is a reference to the audacity of Napa’s early grape growers and winemaker Cary Gott exceeds expectations on that score, using fruit grown at an elevation of over 800 feet on the 20-acre Calla Lily estate on the eastern side of Howell Mountain. This round, robust red has
Calla Lily’s 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Ultimate Red delivers scents of Ribena, sage and a hint of bay leaf on the nose. It’s medium to full-bodied, silky in texture and maybe a touch tart on the finish, but it’s a solid effort.
Nearly 95% Cabernet Sauvignon (the balance is mostly Petit Verdot), the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Audax is a big step up from the 2017, boasting more refinement and purity of expression. Scents of cassis and blueberry take the lead, with subtle shadings of sage and mocha adding complexity. It’s full-bodied yet silky and suave, with a
