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I was also able to taste a barrel sample of the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, and it’s clearly one of the deeper hued 2022s I was able to taste for this report. Darker currants, hints of cassis, scorched earth, and tobacco all emerge on the nose, and it’s medium to full-bodied, has a classic, elegant Spottswood texture, building tannins, and outstanding length.Jeb Dunnuck | 94-96 JDThe 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, tasted as a barrel sample, is deep purple-black in color. Intense scents of plum preserves, blueberry pie, and creme de cassis give way to wafts of dried roses, star anise, and powdered cinnamon. The medium-bodied palate is velvety and lively, with bags of juicy black and blue fruit preserves leading to a long and spicy finish on this impressive wine.The Wine Independent | 94-96+ TWIDark, layered and imposing, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon is a promising wine for the year. Dark red and purplish fruit, spice and rose petals open gradually, wrapped together by firm, large-grained tannins for this site. This core blend represents about 40% of the eventual final blend.Vinous Media | 92-95 VM

The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Solari (100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 20 months in 70% new French oak) is even better than I thought last year. This spectacular wine boasts notes of white chocolate, hot gravel, crème de cassis, blackberries, licorice and forest floor. A subtle smoky barbecue character is noticeable in the background. This is a thrilling, full-bodied, majestic Cabernet Sauvignon to drink over the next 25-30 years, although its tannic structure suggests cellaring it for 2-5 years will be beneficial.Robert Parker | 99 RPThe 2012 Solari is a stunning wine based on 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 20 months in 70% new French oak. As with most 2012s, it’s drinking brilliantly today and sports a youthful ruby/purple hue as well as a monster bouquet of crème de cassis, graphite, dried earth, licorice, and Asian spices. It’s rich and powerful, with plenty of underling structure, yet it stays weightless as well as seamless on the palate, with flawless balance. This is a brilliant, heavenly Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that will continue showing well for another two decades or more.Jeb Dunnuck | 99 JDA broad, rich, expansive expression of dark berry, currant, espresso and mocha, this hits all the right notes, with touches of savory herb and tobacco leaf. Most impressive on the lingering finish, where the flavors run deep. Drink now through 2030. 1,090 cases made.Wine Spectator | 95 WSA wine with sliced mushroom, bark and spice plus berry and dark chocolate. Full body with forest flower, bramble, and light earth. Powerful and rich. A wonderful expression of cabernet sauvignon from here. Pure cab. Available in November. Give it two or three years to soften. Try in 2017.James Suckling | 95 JSGraphite, smoke, licorice, incense, game and black fruit race across the palate in the 2012 Solari. This is an especially explosive, structured wine for the vintage, with superb balance and the density to support years of exceptional drinking. Black cherries, plums, game and tobacco reappear on the huge finish. This is a rare 2012 that demands patience.Antonio Galloni | 94+ AG

Lastly, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin State Lane Vineyard is one of the gems in the vintage. I continue to find a Latour-like quality in this cuvee and the 2014 boasts a deep purple color, killer notes of lead pencil, charcoal, scorched earth, crushed rocks, and loads of dark fruits. Medium to full-bodied, elegant yet concentrated, impeccably balanced and with a big finish, hide bottles for 3-4 years and enjoy over the following 2+ decades. This cuvee is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot that was brought up in plenty of new oak, and there are roughly 700 cases produced.Speaking about the recent vintages, this team loves their 2016s and calls them the purest expressions of their varieties they’ve seen. These are indeed beautiful wines that seem similar to the 2014s, yet with a touch more oomph and mid-palate depth. I loved the 2015s and these are classic wines from Napa Valley that lead with their fruit, yet like all the wines from Kapcsandy, remain beautifully balanced, if not restrained in this vintage. The 2014s are drinking beautifully today, with elegant, classic, even old-world styles, and they’re going to evolve nicely as well. These are all classy, regal wines.Jeb Dunnuck | 99 JDExtremely floral and complex on the nose with cedar, blackberries, blueberries, tobacco, stones, mushrooms... I'm simply running out of words here! Full to medium body and a tight and compact center palate. This is complete and dense. Extremely long and energetic. Drink in five years but a joy to taste. One of the best ever.James Suckling | 99 JSDeep medium ruby; more saturated than the Roberta's. Knockout nose offers aromas of cassis, black cherry, dark plum, shoe polish and espresso, plus an element of toasty oak. Remarkably plush, dense and seamless, presenting a compelling balance of sweet dark berry fruit and firming minerality, with complicating notes of tobacco and spices. Really sensational Cabernet purity here! The wine's substantial tannins hit the palate late and build, giving the very long finish an element of sweetness that makes the Roberta's seem almost dry in comparison. Lou Kapcsándy described 2014 as "a steady year in the middle of drought years, with a relatively cool August and a fairly stress-free harvest--and easier than the warm 2013 growing season." (13.9% alcohol; 98% new French and 2% new Hungarian oak)Vinous Media | 98 VMAlways an exceptional cuvée, there are 900 cases of the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin, which is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot. In 2015 there were 700 cases. This wine is even softer than the 2015, perhaps slightly less concentrated, but still at the top of the qualitative hierarchy in Napa Valley, with its terrific purity, nose of licorice, camphor, forest floor, blackcurrant and cedar wood. It is gorgeously fruited, full-bodied, but super-well-balanced. This is a beauty that can be drunk early, or cellared for another 25-30 years.Robert Parker | 96 RP

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is an outrageously beautiful wine and also one of the wines of the year. A soaring, exotic bouquet makes a strong opening statement. Pliant and creamy, with mind-blowing textural finesse, the 2021 dazzles from start to finish. Hard candy, mint, lavender, Kirsch and spice linger on the close. The 2021 possesses mind-blowing purity and exceptional finesse.Vinous Media | 99 VM