Everything from the global news networks to major daily newspapers, financial magazines,  TikTok influencers, bloggers, and podcasters of every stripe are issuing their Best of 2024 highlights. This motivated me to see what rose to the top of my wine-tasting adventures and share the findings.

The highlights were many and varied. We enjoyed wines under $25 from five continents that excited our palates. Trade tastings exposed us to scores of new labels with the promises of long-term enjoyment in the under $50 category, then above $100 and higher. To start the reporting, here are California Cabernet Sauvignon wines I enjoyed during the year, a category I first started writing about in 1972! The wines are listed in order of score. Vintages range from 2001 to 2019, and prices from $47 to $395. You won’t find any high-alcohol fruit bombs below, but rather wines that tend to show a sense of place and style and from producers I’ve admired over the decades.

  • Nicely evolving Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Ramey ($47 in 2016). Mid ruby, rim variation, amber edges, viscous (14.5 alc.); smokey, mint, cassis, berries, Napa nose; soft acids; low-mid tannins; long, semi-lush, balanced Cabernet finish. w/filet. 17/92.
  • Prototypical expression from Spottswoode in its 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate. Mid-brick, amber edges, viscous (14.1 alc.); herbaceous, berries, mint, leather, wood nose; mid acids; mid+ tannins; long, deep, slightly hot berry and wood finish. 17-17.5/92-93.

    Spottswoode 2005

  • Napa, St. Helena, classic 2013 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate.  Sharp mid-garnet, viscous (13.9 alc.); berries, mint, cassis, herbaceous red fruit, and wood nose; mid acids; mid+ tannins; medium depth; a little unbalanced now; semi-long, tight, berry, mint, and wood finish. Needs time. 17-17.5/92-93.
  • Consistently rich Stag’s Leap viticultural area (AVA) star, 1996 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon S.L.V. Mid-ruby, amber edges, viscous (13.8 alc.); Napa Cabernet nose; herbaceous, cassis, red fruit, tobacco, oak, mint; balanced; medium acids, tannins, depth; long elegant red fruit and wood finish. 17-17.5/92-93
  • Napa classic 2004 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve. Mid garnet, brick edges, viscous (14.4 alc.); herbaceous, red fruit, mint, berry nose; mid acids/tannins; balanced; excellent style; semi-long red fruit and berry finish. 17.5/93.
  • Several good years ahead for this Spring Mountain, Napa, 2015 DuMOL Cabernet Sauvignon Ballard Vineyard. Mid garnet, rim variation, viscous (14.5 alc.); red fruit, berries, mint, complex Napa Cabernet nose; mid acids; mid+ tannins; balanced; long, deep, Cabernet finish. 17.5/93.
  • Napa, St. Helena, 2017 Young Inglewood Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate ($127 in 2020, winery). Mid garnet, rim variation, viscous (14.7 alc.); complex herbaceous, smokey, mint, leather nose; mid acids; mid+tannins; long, tight, berry and wood finish. 17-17.5/92-93.
  • 2001 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Spottswoode Estate Vineyard. Mid garnet, rim variation, brick/amber edges, viscous (14.1 alc.); sweet red fruit nose, herbaceous, oak, black currants; low-mid acids; low-mid softening tannins; mid-depth; a little past its prime, but semi-long, elegant Cabernet finish. 17.5/93.
  • Spring Mountain, Napa, 2015 DuMOL Cabernet Sauvignon Ballard Vineyard. Mid garnet, rim variation, viscous (14.5 alc.); red fruit, berries, mint, complex Napa Cabernet nose; mid acids; mid+ tannins; balanced; long, deep, Cabernet finish. 17.5/93.
  • $275 Napa 2019 David Arthur Cabernet Sauvignon Elevation 1147 (at Napa Vintners tasting). Mid-dark garnet, rim variation; big red fruit, berry, oak, herbaceous nose (mountain fruit); low-mid acids; softening tannins, but deep; round, full Cabernet finish. 17.5/93.
  • $395 Napa 2019 Accendo Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon (850 cases; at Napa Vintners tasting). Dark garnet, viscous (14.2 alc.); ripe berries, black fruit, herbaceous, oak nose; mid acids; mid+ tannins, softening; balanced; long, rich, multilayered Cabernet finish. 18/94.
  • Napa $1,000 wine by Philippe Melka 2019 Fairest Creature “Polyspline” Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Vintner tasting). Darkest purple, viscous (15.7 alc.); ripe grape, berries, cassis, mint nose; mid acids; mid+ tannins; balanced; good Cabernet fruit; stylish finish (5% Petit Verdot). 18/94

Next: Burgundy Highlights