Amici Cellars 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Napa Valley

Amici is a family-owned winery nestled in the foothills of the Palisades just outside Calistoga, Napa Valley, where they produce true-to-varietal wines from exceptional vineyard sources. Bringing decades of relationships with outstanding growers, they combine that with expert craftsmanship, to make elegant, balanced, expressive wines.

This 2018 Reserve is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petite Verdot aged 22 months in 100% new French oak barrels.

The Wine Advocate scored this 95 points saying "A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is deep garnet-purple in color, striding confidently out of the glass with classic notes of baked plums, blackberry pie and blackcurrant cordial plus hints of cedar, unsmoked cigars and tilled soil. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and featuring impressively pure black fruit flavors, the palate delivers a firm texture of ripe, fine-grained tannins, finishing long, layered and with lovely freshness."

Vinous scored this 94 points saying "The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is built on a core of fruit from Hirondelle and Missouri Hopper. It is a fabulous wine, especially within its price range. Dark and ample, with striking depth, the Reserve is once again tremendous. I tasted it after all the vineyard designates, but that only served to show what a compelling wine it is. Power and sensuality are on full display. Drinking window: 2023 - 2038"

James Suckling scored this 94 points saying "Lots of walnut, chocolate, currant and thyme character to this with some wet earth and forest fruit. Vibrant nose. It’s full-bodied with lots of fruit and ripe tannins. Flavorful finish. Solid red. Drink or hold."