Rio Vista
Kuleto Estate
Villa Vista Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
2017 vintage. Plum, pomegranate and chocolate notes with a smooth finish of limestone, spice and wet stone. — 4 months ago
Donkey & Goat
Linda Vista Vineyard Chardonnay 2014
What a wine at 11 years! So much lemon, seagrass, peaches, a bit of stone, some lemon curd. It coats the palate. Interestingly it opened up with more fruit over 2 hours. It is so freaking good. It’s really like a fresh lemon tart with a tiny bit of cream and the crust with some orchard fruit and the at the ocean. Unbelievable. I loved this wine 8 years ago and love it more now. — 4 months ago
Cascina delle Rose
Rio Sordo Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2020
Ruby in color with light intensity and a wide reddish rim.
Fruity nose of red currants, cherries, earth, black coffee, chocolates, chalk and light oak.
Medium bodied with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with red fruits, earth, light wood, spices, coffee, dark chocolates, vegetables, herbs and black tea.
Medium finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.
This is a very tasty Barbaresco. Easy drinking and elegant, but not as smooth as I expected it to be.
This 5 year old feels like it needs more time in the bottle to mature properly. Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years. Would be nice to revisit it in 5 years.
This Single Vineyard Nebbiolo is complex and interesting. Good by itself and better with food.
100% Nebbiolo grapes were aged for 2 years in large oak barrels. A small production of only 3,500 bottles.
14% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$80. — 5 months ago
Bodega Catena Zapata
Vista Flores Malbec
Boardwalk Bellvue bar.
8/22 staycation.
Plum, raspberries, juicy and fruitful but not overpowering sweet. Dryer than Coopers. Better than coopers. The nose is very strong and elegant. Goes down smooth. Has an "evaporation" effect on the end. — 4 months ago
Matthiasson
Linda Vista Vineyard Chardonnay 2023
Nose: elegant white flowers.
Palate: balanced mineral. Green apple. Good density. Burgundian. — 5 months ago
Freddy R. Troya
Nickel & Nickel – Vaca Vista Vineyard – Cab Sauv– 2022
Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley, California 🇺🇸
Overview
A single-vineyard Napa Cabernet sourced from the cool and elegant Oak Knoll District. Fermented and aged with the classic Nickel & Nickel precision, this expression favors balance, red-to-dark fruit purity, and structure over sheer power. A modern Napa style that emphasizes approachability without sacrificing depth.
Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, cassis, plum, and violet, with cedar, vanilla, graphite, and a touch of baking spice. Subtle oak integration allows the fruit and minerality to shine.
Mouthfeel
Medium-plus in body, polished, and cohesive. Fresh acidity, supple tannins, and a graceful arc from entry to finish. Not a bruiser — a refined, cooler-climate profile that stays lively and lifted.
Food Pairings
Flat iron steak, short ribs, mushroom risotto, grilled lamb chops, herb-crusted pork tenderloin, or aged cheeses.
Verdict
A beautifully balanced, site-driven Napa Cabernet that delivers both sophistication and drinkability. Finessed rather than forceful, and a strong example of why Oak Knoll continues to be one of Napa’s most exciting AVAs for Cabernet.
Did You Know?
Nickel & Nickel was founded by the Far Niente family with a mission to produce 100% varietal, single-vineyard wines, showcasing Napa’s terroir with clarity. Oak Knoll is one of Napa Valley’s coolest sub-AVAs, producing elegant, aromatic reds with natural acidity and restraint.
🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
Oak Knoll being a single-vineyard expression from this sub-AVA makes it one of the easiest, most easygoing Cabernets from the Napa floor, and I always like to have it as an opener when pouring more intense Napa reds. A perfect warm-up that sets the stage beautifully. — 7 days ago