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Napa Cabernet 2019: full vintage report and top-scoring wines

California’s premier Cabernet Sauvignon region has delivered a beautifully classic vintage in 2019, showcasing balance, energy and tension. Decanter’s Napa correspondent Jonathan Cristaldi reviews the growing season and reveals the 63 wines from across the valley’s appellations he rated 97 or above – including five perfect 100-point scores.

Napa Cabernet 2019 vintage verdict: 4.5 stars

A wet winter and cool spring delayed budbreak throughout most of the Napa Valley, while a warm, even growing season allowed for slow, phenolic maturity. The resulting Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant wines are fresh and vivid, with intense black fruits, savouriness and concentration. Very classic in style, with great balance, energy and tension, they exude upfront drinking pleasure but also have impeccable structure for long-term cellaring.

We have published more than 225 reviews online of 2019 Napa Cabernets for Decanter Premium subscribers which our corespondent Jonathan Cristaldi tasted (non blind) at the offices of the Napa Valley Vintners as well as at wineries and at home. Look out for AVA and value reports this week.


QUICK LINKS

Napa Cabernet 2019 score table: top 221 wines


Napa Cabernet 2019 – individual analysis by AVA:

CalistogaCoombsville | Howell Mountain | Oakville | Rutherford | Spring Mountain | St Helena | Stags Leap District | Other Napa Valley AVAs

PLUS: Top-value Napa Cabernet 2019 – the best to buy


Energy, freshness and balance characterise Napa Valley’s 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon vintage, which will find broad appeal.

The best are incredibly approachable, already showing intricate layers of complexity through the vivid upfront dark fruit, but also boast the structure to cellar for decades thanks to ultra-fine tannins and ample acid tension.

‘In time, we believe 2019 will prove to be one of the standout vintages of the decade,’ proclaims Paul Hobbs. ‘It is a return to classic.’


Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores of the 63 wines Decanter rates best from the 2019 Napa Cabernet vintage



Top 2019 Napa Cabernets to buy

The 63 wines in this list are Jonathan Cristaldi’s top-scoring from more than 300 tasted. The appellations given are those marked on the label. Many producers choose to use the generic Napa Valley AVA even though their wines could be classified under one of the 16 sub-AVAs. For top-scoring 2019 Napa Cabernets from specific AVAs, as well as value wines, please see the links above.


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