2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

A super creamy, delicious and detailed red with oodles of red fruit, silky tannins and a full body. It tastes pure, fresh, almost delicate, offering raspberries, cherry cream, blueberries, cafe au lait and subtle oak toast on the palate. A gentle, layered, pretty wine that seems not at all affected by the wildfire smoke that year. Drinkable now, but best from 2030.

The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is dark and rich but also notably savory. Turned earth, grilled herbs, game, leather and mocha saturate the palate. That said, I find a slight grittiness and an ashy feel to the tannin that might point to some challenges with smoke. It’s a well-made, well-executed wine, all things considered.