Robert Craig 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Affinity, Napa Valley
Item Number: 13 20 283 18
Robert Craig 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Affinity, Napa Valley
Low-yield estate Napa Cab!
Quick Taste
- 93 Points!
- "Balanced, structured and focused"
- "Enjoy any time over the coming 10-15 years"
About Robert Craig 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Affinity, Napa Valley
Robert Craig has an affinity for Napa Valley's mountain grapes. As General Manager of Hess Estate in the 80 her developed 300 acres of vineyards on Mt. Veeder. He's been making wine under his own label since the 90's and this is his most popular wine. Sourced from his Affinity estate vineyard in the foothills south of Stag's Leap, he maintains low yields for deep, intense flavors.
2018 is Jason Price’s first vintage as head winemaker at Robert Craig Winery after many years in the associate winemaker role. Jason’s attention to detail shows in all the wines, and Affinity 2018 is no exception. La Londe Vineyard in Coombsville was planted by John Caldwell in 1988 on 5C rootstock, and I sometimes wish it were 110R or any other variation that did better in such stony soil. However, the wine exhibits a tremendous sense of site. Though Affinity is our least expensive Cabernet, it is no less cellar worthy than our mountain wine offerings. La Londe Vineyard is simply less expensive to farm by 30%, which is hard to believe at nearly $14K per acre. The vineyard is extremely rocky, and the vines always struggle to produce 3.5 tons per acre.
Vinous gave this wine 93 points saying The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Affinity is a terrific entry-level wine in this range. Intense, savory and spice notes lend terrific aromatic nuance and vibrancy to play off a core of dark, inky fruit. Deep and dense, but also wonderfully nuanced, the 2018 Affinity has so much to offer. Most of the fruit is from a single site in Coombsville, with small additions from sites in Rutherford and Howell Mountain. This is an impressive showing from Robert Craig. Drinking window 2025-2038.
James Suckling gave this wine 93 points noting A perfumed nose of mulberries, plums, cedar, dried herbs, forest floor and cigar box. Full body with firm, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Balanced, structured and focused. Drink from 2023.
Jeb Dunnuck scored this wine 91 points saying I've always loved this wine, and the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Affinity is another solid vintage for the estate. Lots of currants, blackberries, smoked herbs, graphite, and charcoal notes emerge from the glass, and it's medium-bodied, with a supple, elegant texture and outstanding length. It's a classic, impeccably made Cabernet to enjoy any time over the coming 10-15 years.
2018 is Jason Price’s first vintage as head winemaker at Robert Craig Winery after many years in the associate winemaker role. Jason’s attention to detail shows in all the wines, and Affinity 2018 is no exception. La Londe Vineyard in Coombsville was planted by John Caldwell in 1988 on 5C rootstock, and I sometimes wish it were 110R or any other variation that did better in such stony soil. However, the wine exhibits a tremendous sense of site. Though Affinity is our least expensive Cabernet, it is no less cellar worthy than our mountain wine offerings. La Londe Vineyard is simply less expensive to farm by 30%, which is hard to believe at nearly $14K per acre. The vineyard is extremely rocky, and the vines always struggle to produce 3.5 tons per acre.
Vinous gave this wine 93 points saying The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Affinity is a terrific entry-level wine in this range. Intense, savory and spice notes lend terrific aromatic nuance and vibrancy to play off a core of dark, inky fruit. Deep and dense, but also wonderfully nuanced, the 2018 Affinity has so much to offer. Most of the fruit is from a single site in Coombsville, with small additions from sites in Rutherford and Howell Mountain. This is an impressive showing from Robert Craig. Drinking window 2025-2038.
James Suckling gave this wine 93 points noting A perfumed nose of mulberries, plums, cedar, dried herbs, forest floor and cigar box. Full body with firm, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Balanced, structured and focused. Drink from 2023.
Jeb Dunnuck scored this wine 91 points saying I've always loved this wine, and the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Affinity is another solid vintage for the estate. Lots of currants, blackberries, smoked herbs, graphite, and charcoal notes emerge from the glass, and it's medium-bodied, with a supple, elegant texture and outstanding length. It's a classic, impeccably made Cabernet to enjoy any time over the coming 10-15 years.
Wine Details
- Alcohol % 14.0%
- Bottle Size 750 ml
- Wine Type Red
- Country United States
- Region California
- Appellation Napa
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