Amici Cellars
Napa County Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa County, North Coast, California, USA
A blend of 80% Cab Sauv, 7% Merlot, 7% Malbec, 4% Petite Verdot, & 2% Cab Franc, aged about 16 months in 55% new French oak. Deep Ruby with aromas of black and blue fruits with smoky spicy notes. On the palate flavors of blueberry and blackberry with cedar and vanilla spice. Warming dry tannins, toasty oak, cacao and leather on the medium+ finish. Nice one, but pricy at $50. A Better price point should be $30-$35. Others at $50 better. Tasting Sample.
A blend of 80% Cab Sauv, 7% Merlot, 7% Malbec, 4% Petite Verdot, & 2% Cab Franc, aged about 16 months in 55% new French oak. Deep Ruby with aromas of black and blue fruits with smoky spicy notes. On the palate flavors of blueberry and blackberry with cedar and vanilla spice. Warming dry tannins, toasty oak, cacao and leather on the medium+ finish. Nice one, but pricy at $50. A Better price point should be $30-$35. Others at $50 better. Tasting Sample.
May 19th, 2025
Amici Cellars — Napa County Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 — Napa Valley, California. United States 🇺🇸
Overview:
An approachable, fruit-forward expression of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon crafted predominantly from Cabernet Sauvignon, positioned as the entry tier of Amici’s luxury portfolio. The 2022 vintage shows a deliberate stylistic shift toward earlier accessibility, emphasizing plush fruit, polished texture, and immediate drinkability while maintaining Napa depth and structure.
Aromas & Flavors:
Dark cherry, ripe plum, blackberry, cocoa, dark chocolate, and well-integrated toasty oak.
Mouthfeel:
Silky tannins, rounded structure, and a creamy, open-knit texture deliver generous mid-palate richness with a long, lingering finish. Fuller and more expressive than the 2021, this vintage is truly cork-and-pour with no decanting required.
Food Pairings:
Grilled steak, burgers, roast chicken, barbecue ribs, mushroom pasta, aged cheddar or gouda.
Personal Pick:
I genuinely appreciate the 2022 shift, this drinks beautifully straight out of the bottle and makes Napa Cabernet feel effortless and inviting. It’s a great example of luxury sensibility without luxury fuss.
Verdict:
A polished, crowd-pleasing Napa Cabernet offering immediate gratification with enough structure to age short- to mid-term. Ideal for weeknight indulgence or casual entertaining.
🍷 Did You Know?:
Many Napa producers fine-tune vintage expression based on growing conditions and market preferences, sometimes intentionally crafting certain releases for earlier drinkability rather than extended cellaring.
Amici Cellars — Napa County Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 — Napa Valley, California. United States 🇺🇸
Overview:
An approachable, fruit-forward expression of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon crafted predominantly from Cabernet Sauvignon, positioned as the entry tier of Amici’s luxury portfolio. The 2022 vintage shows a deliberate stylistic shift toward earlier accessibility, emphasizing plush fruit, polished texture, and immediate drinkability while maintaining Napa depth and structure.
Aromas & Flavors:
Dark cherry, ripe plum, blackberry, cocoa, dark chocolate, and well-integrated toasty oak.
Mouthfeel:
Silky tannins, rounded structure, and a creamy, open-knit texture deliver generous mid-palate richness with a long, lingering finish. Fuller and more expressive than the 2021, this vintage is truly cork-and-pour with no decanting required.
Food Pairings:
Grilled steak, burgers, roast chicken, barbecue ribs, mushroom pasta, aged cheddar or gouda.
Personal Pick:
I genuinely appreciate the 2022 shift, this drinks beautifully straight out of the bottle and makes Napa Cabernet feel effortless and inviting. It’s a great example of luxury sensibility without luxury fuss.
Verdict:
A polished, crowd-pleasing Napa Cabernet offering immediate gratification with enough structure to age short- to mid-term. Ideal for weeknight indulgence or casual entertaining.
🍷 Did You Know?:
Many Napa producers fine-tune vintage expression based on growing conditions and market preferences, sometimes intentionally crafting certain releases for earlier drinkability rather than extended cellaring.
Anise & dark cherries in the nose with anise & black currants in the nose. Full-bodied, intense wine that paired well with food
Anise & dark cherries in the nose with anise & black currants in the nose. Full-bodied, intense wine that paired well with food
Mar 1st, 2025