Napa Valley wine: A guide for new collectors

Napa Valley may only provide around 4% of California’s grape harvest, but even some merchants admit it’s difficult to keep track of all the wines being made; from exciting, niche varietal bottlings to the sheer breadth of Cabernet Sauvignon-driven styles.

This introductory guide provides inspiration for collectors looking to get more involved in the Cabernet-dominant wines of Napa, including:

Merchant and analyst commentary approaching the market
Top names to know
A closer look at prices
Investment potential of top-tier wines

Napa Valley wine

California is a vast treasure trove for wine lovers and the top Cabernet Sauvignon-driven wines of Napa Valley, in particular, are increasingly prominent on the fine wine market.

Spend even just a few days in California wine country and you’ll be struck by the diversity of wines on offer, from niche varietal bottlings to the depth and breadth of Cabernet Sauvignon-driven styles.

Standout vintages like 2016 and 2013 have generated significant press, but currentrelease Cabs from the more challenging 2017 vintage also display precision in the cellar and terroir-focused approach.

A downloadable PDF version of the Napa Valley Collector’s Guide is available here.

Click here to join Decanter Premium now and enjoy instant access to the latest Napa Valley Collector’s guide as well as past Collector’s Guide’s including Napa and Piedmont.

Report by Chris Mercer for Decanter Premium. A freelance journalist and former editor of Decanter.com, Chris has written about the global fine wine market for more than a decade

Disclaimer

Please note that this report has been published purely for informational purposes and does not constitute financial or investment advice.The report includes Wine-Searcher monthly global average retail prices in US$ to provide a consistent point of comparison, as well as data and opinion from other trade sources. All of this information is subject to change, and the prices and availability of wines cited will vary between countries, currencies and retailers. Decanter and the editorial team behind this report do not accept liability for the ongoing accuracy of its contents. Seek independent and professional advice where necessary and be aware that wine investment is unregulated in several markets. Please be aware that prices can go down as well as up.