| Vintage | Score | Drink Window | Description | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vintage2019 |
Score97 |
Drink WindowHold |
DescriptionA wet spring resulted in less overt tannic structure, with small, concentrated berries delivering dense yet pure fruit flavors. Harvest stretched into October thanks to very moderate temperatures in August and September. Wines are ripe and lush yet well-defined; a worthy follow-up to the benchmark 2018 vintage |
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DescriptionA wet spring resulted in less overt tannic structure, with small, concentrated berries delivering dense yet pure fruit flavors. Harvest stretched into October thanks to very moderate temperatures in August and September. Wines are ripe and lush yet well-defined; a worthy follow-up to the benchmark 2018 vintage |
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Vintage2018 |
Score99 |
Drink WindowHold |
DescriptionA wet winter provided sufficient water through the dry, warm, even-keeled season. Ripening was slow under full canopies, and the drawn-out harvest allowed producers to pick when they wanted. A spectacular year, with wines that are rich and dark, but detailed, restrained in style and very terroir-driven |
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DescriptionA wet winter provided sufficient water through the dry, warm, even-keeled season. Ripening was slow under full canopies, and the drawn-out harvest allowed producers to pick when they wanted. A spectacular year, with wines that are rich and dark, but detailed, restrained in style and very terroir-driven |
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Vintage2017 |
Score92 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionDrought broke over the winter, with lots of vegetation and healthy vines to start the season. Good growing season turned wickedly hot in early September, with no cooling-off period, then wildfires raged in early October, raising the specter of smoke taint. Napa’s most difficult season in recent memory |
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DescriptionDrought broke over the winter, with lots of vegetation and healthy vines to start the season. Good growing season turned wickedly hot in early September, with no cooling-off period, then wildfires raged in early October, raising the specter of smoke taint. Napa’s most difficult season in recent memory |
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Vintage2016 |
Score98 |
Drink WindowHold |
DescriptionThe final drought-influenced vintage of the run since 2012, this time without serious heat spikes. Rockier soils and drier spots ripened first, while heavier soils allowed for longer hang time. Wines show intense fruit against the backdrop of their varying terroirs; crop still down from normal |
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DescriptionThe final drought-influenced vintage of the run since 2012, this time without serious heat spikes. Rockier soils and drier spots ripened first, while heavier soils allowed for longer hang time. Wines show intense fruit against the backdrop of their varying terroirs; crop still down from normal |
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Vintage2015 |
Score94 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionThe fourth drought-influenced year in a row, plus a cold spell during flowering led to significantly lower yields. The smaller crop ripened quickly, though, with picking beginning in August. Quality is high but more variable than 2016 or 2013, as sugars sometimes raced ahead of phenolics |
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DescriptionThe fourth drought-influenced year in a row, plus a cold spell during flowering led to significantly lower yields. The smaller crop ripened quickly, though, with picking beginning in August. Quality is high but more variable than 2016 or 2013, as sugars sometimes raced ahead of phenolics |
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Vintage2014 |
Score95 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionHeavy rains in February and March gave the vines an early boost—though not enough to break the drought—and from there warm, dry conditions led to an early harvest. Quality is very consistent, with the wines showing power and depth, as well as extra aromatic range. A beautiful vintage with a distinct signature |
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DescriptionHeavy rains in February and March gave the vines an early boost—though not enough to break the drought—and from there warm, dry conditions led to an early harvest. Quality is very consistent, with the wines showing power and depth, as well as extra aromatic range. A beautiful vintage with a distinct signature |
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Vintage2013 |
Score97 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionPractically a flawless growing season, with moderate temperatures throughout and no heat spikes or rain. Earliest harvest in 25 years started in August, but Indian summer conditions allowed growers to pick blocks as they wanted through late October. Wines brim with fruit and structure. A no-brainer benchmark |
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DescriptionPractically a flawless growing season, with moderate temperatures throughout and no heat spikes or rain. Earliest harvest in 25 years started in August, but Indian summer conditions allowed growers to pick blocks as they wanted through late October. Wines brim with fruit and structure. A no-brainer benchmark |
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Vintage2012 |
Score96 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionThe first of California’s drought-influenced run and a welcome return to warm, dry conditions following the rain-marred 2011 season. Record-sized crop with many stars; a solid vintage across the board marked by a tannic spine that will age well |
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DescriptionThe first of California’s drought-influenced run and a welcome return to warm, dry conditions following the rain-marred 2011 season. Record-sized crop with many stars; a solid vintage across the board marked by a tannic spine that will age well |
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Vintage2011 |
Score86 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionRare rainy harvest proved it can happen; few sunny spots, variable quality |
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DescriptionRare rainy harvest proved it can happen; few sunny spots, variable quality |
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Vintage2010 |
Score96 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionCool, steady year; wines show exceptional quality, tight, dense and layered |
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DescriptionCool, steady year; wines show exceptional quality, tight, dense and layered |
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Vintage2009 |
Score96 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionLate, cool year yielding a surprise bounty of pure, opulent wines |
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DescriptionLate, cool year yielding a surprise bounty of pure, opulent wines |
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Vintage2008 |
Score96 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionFrost year lowered yields but not quality; unique for its depth and concentration |
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DescriptionFrost year lowered yields but not quality; unique for its depth and concentration |
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Vintage2007 |
Score97 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionTextbook year; small crop, ideal ripening, wines defined by complexity and plush tannins |
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DescriptionTextbook year; small crop, ideal ripening, wines defined by complexity and plush tannins |
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Vintage2006 |
Score95 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionA late, cool harvest produced dense, concentrated and ageworthy wines |
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DescriptionA late, cool harvest produced dense, concentrated and ageworthy wines |
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Vintage2005 |
Score92 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionRecord-size crop; best are elegant and balanced, yet many are tannic and drying out |
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DescriptionRecord-size crop; best are elegant and balanced, yet many are tannic and drying out |
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Vintage2004 |
Score95 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionSmall crop of exceptional quality; ripe, elegant, concentrated and harmonious |
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DescriptionSmall crop of exceptional quality; ripe, elegant, concentrated and harmonious |
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Vintage2003 |
Score85 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionUneven ripeness; austere and tannic in style. More like 2000 than 2001 or 2002 |
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DescriptionUneven ripeness; austere and tannic in style. More like 2000 than 2001 or 2002 |
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Vintage2002 |
Score93 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionSuperb in Napa; dense and rich, rivaling 2001 for depth and complexity |
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DescriptionSuperb in Napa; dense and rich, rivaling 2001 for depth and complexity |
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Vintage2001 |
Score93 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionExcellent weather; many stunning wines but also a few disappointments |
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DescriptionExcellent weather; many stunning wines but also a few disappointments |
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Vintage2000 |
Score85 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionMixed and a bit green overall, but some stellar wines that may be overlooked and undervalued |
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DescriptionMixed and a bit green overall, but some stellar wines that may be overlooked and undervalued |
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Vintage1999 |
Score97 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionTremendous depth, concentration and structure from a cool, moderate year; ageworthy |
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DescriptionTremendous depth, concentration and structure from a cool, moderate year; ageworthy |
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Vintage1998 |
Score84 |
Drink WindowPast peak |
DescriptionCool, damp year with mostly green, herbal wines marked by gritty tannins; few memorable bottles |
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DescriptionCool, damp year with mostly green, herbal wines marked by gritty tannins; few memorable bottles |
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Vintage1997 |
Score99 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionHuge crop of ripe, opulent, fleshy, concentrated wines, from near-perfect weather; super in Sonoma, too |
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DescriptionHuge crop of ripe, opulent, fleshy, concentrated wines, from near-perfect weather; super in Sonoma, too |
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Vintage1996 |
Score96 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionA sleeper, with a remarkable number of compelling wines; warm year with fine concentration and depth |
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DescriptionA sleeper, with a remarkable number of compelling wines; warm year with fine concentration and depth |
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Vintage1995 |
Score97 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionSurprisingly fine year, with wines marked by great flavors, balance and structure |
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DescriptionSurprisingly fine year, with wines marked by great flavors, balance and structure |
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Vintage1994 |
Score97 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionA showy year all around; ripe, complex and fleshy, with excellent depth |
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DescriptionA showy year all around; ripe, complex and fleshy, with excellent depth |
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Vintage1993 |
Score88 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionJust off the pace, with well-balanced, supple wines; a few stars |
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DescriptionJust off the pace, with well-balanced, supple wines; a few stars |
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Vintage1992 |
Score93 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionFine growing season led to uniformly rich, fleshy, supple and balanced wines |
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DescriptionFine growing season led to uniformly rich, fleshy, supple and balanced wines |
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Vintage1991 |
Score91 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionBig crop, ripe and complex; a star early on, only to be eclipsed by others this decade |
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DescriptionBig crop, ripe and complex; a star early on, only to be eclipsed by others this decade |
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|
Notable older vintages: 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1978, 1974, 1970, 1968, 1958, 1951, 1941, 1936 | |||||||||
Vintage ratings: 95-100, classic; 90-94, outstanding; 85-89, very good; 80-84, good; 75-79, mediocre; 50-74, not recommended
A score range indicates preliminary analysis based on barrel samples and/or a limited sampling; many wines of the vintage not yet reviewed.
Drinkability: "NYR" means the vintage has not yet been released; "drink" means most of the wines of the vintage are ready to drink; "hold" means most of the ageworthy wines have yet to fully mature; "past peak" means most of the wines are declining rather than improving.
SOURCE: WINE SPECTATOR
