From the producer’s Howell Mountain estate, this wine bursts in juicy red fruit and baking spice. It is a lengthy and full-bodied expression of the grape blended with small amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Supple tannins show a lasting intensity.
From a vineyard high atop Howell Mountain, with small amounts of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot, this red is thick and densely built in mocha, sage and cedar. Rich layers of vanilla and milk chocolate give it a roundedness and soft, supple structure.
In the November-December issue of The Tasting Panel Magazine, the 2015 Audax is reviewed:
95 points, 4 ½ kisses: This estate-bottled Cabernet Sauvignon (with small additions of Merlot, Cab Franc and Malbec) is weighty and powerful. Tobacco, slate and espresso manage to arouse both the nose and a palate whose earthiness transitions to plum coated in bittersweet dark chocolate. Venturing from tightly wound to lush, the wine coasts to a velvet-lined finish accented by notes of leather.
p. 80, https://www.tastingpanelmag.com/the-tasting-panel-magazine-nov-dec-2020/
91 points: Black and inky, this wine blends in 13% Merlot and a smidgen of Cabernet Franc. Sandalwood, oak and cigar orbit around a soft, rich and round midpalate that is deftly structured and well-integrated in oak and tannin.
June 2019
https://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/calla-lily-2013-audax-cabernet-sauvignon-napa-valley/
94 points: Blended with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, this wine succeeds in its rich coming-together of plum, lavender and black-currant flavors, the palate densely packed in fruit and tight-grained tannin. Effusively perfumed in oak and cedar, it is nicely integrated and shows great complexity.
June 2019
https://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/calla-lily-2014-audax-cabernet-sauvignon-napa-valley/
91 points: Muted on the nose, this wine develops at its own pace, revealing juicy, dusty layers of integrated tannin and oak, with lingering red currant and raspberry fruit. Medium in body and light in mouthfeel, it’s softened by the addition of 11% Merlot and a small amount of Cabernet Franc.
July 2017
https://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/calla-lily-2013-ultimate-red-cabernet-sauvignon-napa-valley/
94 points: 2015 Audax Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2015 Audax Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder smaller portions Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Merlot. Aged for 27 months in 50% new French oak, the wine shows gorgeous kirsch tones that combine with creme de cassis, wild herbs and mocha tones that all mingle together in unison. The palate has a seamless texture and wonderful sense of opulence. Layers of dark fruits combine with dark chocolate shavings, thyme and sweet pipe tobacco with loamy terroir. A complete wine, this is simply marvelous now at the five year mark as the 2015 Audax Cabernet Sauvignon will provide drinking enjoyment for many decades to come. Drink 2020-2038.
October 2020
92 points: The 2016 Calla Lily ‘Ultimate Red’ is comprised of nearly all Cabernet Sauvignon (84%) sourced from the 20 acre estate vineyard located in the Pope Valley and is a really good effort by winemaker Cary Gott. Aged for 22 months in 40% new French oak, the toasty oak tones neatly combine with layers of dark fruits, fresh thyme and chocolate that all come together aromatically. The palate is velvety with light tannins that frame the core of downright delicious dark fruits with chocolate tones. Fantastic to savor in its youth, this beautiful wine will cellar well for more than a decade. Drink 2020-2032.
October 2020
This wine is mostly cabernet sauvignon (84%) blended with small amounts of cabernet franc (6%), merlot (6%) and petit verdot (4%). The fruit was all grown in the Napa Valley. Following fermentation, the wine was aged for 26 months in French oak barrels (40% new). It comes in at 14.5% ABV. The wine showed a dark ruby almost opaque color. Black cherry, raspberry preserves, cassis, vanilla, licorice and oak all arrived on the robust and complex nose. Black cherry, raspberry preserves, cassis, vanilla, eucalyptus, licorice and oak followed on the palate where the black cherry stole the show. The wine was full-bodied and exhibited excellent length along with big, chewy tannins. This wine could cellar for 5-6 years or enjoyed now after decanting alongside a grilled Tomahawk ribeye.
October 14, 2020
https://nittanyepicurean.blogspot.com/2020/08/2016-calla-lily-ultimate-red-cabernet.html
James Suckling reviewed the 2017 Audax:
90 points: A juicy red with currant, light coffee and walnut character. Medium body. Juicy and lightly chewy. Drink or hold.
https://www.jamessuckling.com/tasting-notes/136959/audax-cabernet-sauvignon-napa-valley-2017/
James Suckling reviewed the 2017 Ultimate Red:
93 points: A tight, well-structured red with currant, chocolate and hazelnut aromas and flavors. Medium to full body and a rich palate with juicy fruit, yet there’s underlying freshness and focus. Needs a year or two to come together, but already looking excellent. Better after 2022.
https://www.jamessuckling.com/tasting-notes/136947/calla-lily-cabernet-sauvignon-napa-valley-ultimate-red-2017/
September 2020 issue of Tasting Panel Magazine:
93 points: Winemaker Cary Gott crafted this small-production blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, which aged 22 months in (40% new) French oak. At 14.8% ABV, it possesses a statuesque and broad-shouldered character. Tarry blackberry, dark chocolate, slate and licorice take command on the palate’s luxurious pinnacle alongside great acidity.
September 2020 issue of California Grapevine:
Highly recommended. Medium to medium-dark ruby; fragrant, floral, blackberry fruit aroma with hints of cassis, cocoa powder, and black olive; full body; rich, rounded, dark fruit flavors with hints of dried herbs and baking spice, and undertones of sweet oak; full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Could use another year or two of bottle aging.
93 points: Deep, rich and velvety, this has a ton of fine tannins to balance the ripe blackberry, cassis and plum aromas. Although this isn’t tart, beneath the plush exterior is nice freshness that keeps this straight and prevents it from feeling heavy. Lovely interplay between delicately sweet fruit and dry tannins at the long finish. Drink or hold.
The 2015 Audax Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder smaller portions Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Merlot. Aged for 27 months in 50% new French oak, the wine shows gorgeous kirsch tones that combine with creme de cassis, wild herbs and mocha tones that all mingle together in unison. The palate has a seamless texture and wonderful sense of opulence. Layers of dark fruits combine with dark chocolate shavings, thyme and sweet pipe tobacco with loamy terroir. A complete wine, this is simply marvelous now at the five year mark as the 2015 Audax Cabernet Sauvignon will provide drinking enjoyment for many decades to come. Drink 2020-2038.