Honig 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Honig 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is a classic, polished Napa Cab that delivers real pedigree without feeling overworked—ripe black fruit, graphite-tinged depth, and a smooth, confident structure that drinks well young yet holds together for several years.

Origins & Craftsmanship
Honig Vineyard & Winery is rooted in Rutherford and known for a focused portfolio built around Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2022 Napa Valley Cabernet is assembled from Honig’s sustainably farmed Rutherford estate fruit alongside select Napa Valley vineyard sources, vinified as separate lots to capture site character and dial in balance at blending.

The blend is Cabernet-led, supported by classic Bordeaux varieties for texture and lift: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Merlot, 0.5% Cabernet Franc, and 0.5% Petit Sirah. Extended skin contact (lot-dependent) builds color and structure, then the wine is matured for 18 months in a mix of French and American oak, including a meaningful portion of new barrels that add spice and polish while keeping the fruit center stage.

Critics Reviews
Wine Spectator scores Honig 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon 92 points, emphasizing its “very solid” core—dense cassis and dark fruit concentration with floral lift, finishing with a savory, lightly smoky nuance and strong persistence.

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate awards 91 points, noting a full-bodied, silky-velvety feel with cedar, earth-toned depth, black cherry fruit, and dried-spice complexity, finishing with ample length and a subtle hint of ripeness.

James Suckling rates it 91 points, highlighting an attractive aromatic profile of blackberries and kirsch with savory accents, backed by a well-structured palate and lightly chewy tannins, recommending patience for the wine to come into its best window.

Decanter (Jonathan Cristaldi) gives 91 points, praising the wine’s black-fruited structure and elegance, calling out a classic graphite-mineral character and high-toned aromatics threaded through the blackberry fruit.

Tasting Profile
Nose: Blackcurrant, blackberry, and dark cherry lead, followed by violet, cedar, graphite, and a dusting of cocoa and baking spice.

Palate: Medium-to-full with a smooth, confident Napa shape—dark fruit concentration up front, then a more savory, mineral-tinged mid-palate. Oak reads as integrated (vanilla, toast, spice) rather than dominant, with fine, supportive tannins.

Finish: Long and polished, lingering on cassis, plum, subtle licorice, and a faint smoky/char note that adds seriousness and grip.

Quick Overview