Ladera 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 750ml

Ladera has spent 25 years quietly building one of Napa Valley's most respected mountain-fruit programs, and this Napa Valley bottling is the estate's own genuine statement about what that mountain terroir can deliver at a broader, appellation-wide level. Rather than a single-vineyard wine, this Cabernet draws from a genuinely compelling combination of sites — Howell Mountain, Atlas Peak, Pritchard Hill, and Calistoga — stitching together fruit from some of Napa's most celebrated growing areas into one cohesive wine, aged 22 months in a substantial proportion of new French oak. Ladera remains a small, family-owned and operated winery, genuinely committed, in the estate's own words, to "the timeless traditions of artisan winemaking" even as much of Napa has consolidated under larger corporate ownership.

The critical reception has been genuinely strong and consistent. James Suckling awarded 92 Points, and The Wine Independent matched that score exactly. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate scored the wine 91 Points. Rich Cook's own tasting found the wine hitting "all the varietal markers, delivering blackberry, cassis, soft herbs and easy fall spice, with fine grained tannin structure, fine-tuned acidity and a lithe feel for such a weighty wine," recommending either patient aging "to let the tannins fold in a bit further" or "a good decant if you prefer youthful boldness."

Ladera's own tasting notes describe "striking black and blue fruit aromas with prominent notes of dark chocolate and anise," the palate showing "silky tannins and a lush texture" accentuating "the luscious, dark berry flavors." Redneck Wine Company's extended tasting adds "spiced dark berries, chocolate, dried herbs, hints of walnuts and moist earth," the wine "full-bodied, firm and chewy with a dark-fruited, chocolaty character," closing "plush and velvety with a lengthy aftertaste," recommending customers "drink or hold" — this being, in their own words, "loaded with ripe black fruits, spice, and chocolaty notes" and "perfect for drinking over the coming decade." A separate retailer's tasting found "blackberry, cassis, and dark cherry, layered with notes of graphite, cedar, and subtle spice" on the nose, the palate "full-bodied and concentrated" with "velvety tannins and vibrant acidity" leading "to a long, elegant finish." This is genuinely well-reviewed, structured mountain Cabernet — real depth and staying power from one of Napa's most consistently respected small producers.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Ladera Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is produced by Ladera Vineyards, a small, family-owned and operated winery that has spent 25 years building a reputation for mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley. The 2019 vintage is sourced from a combination of sites across Howell Mountain, Atlas Peak, Pritchard Hill, and Calistoga, aged 22 months in a substantial proportion of new French oak (approximately 81% in a recent comparable vintage). Bottled at 14.5% ABV, 750ml.

Critics Reviews

James Suckling — 92 Points

The Wine Independent — 92 Points

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate — 91 Points

Rich Cook (extended tasting note):
"Ladera Vineyards continues to turn out the hits, particularly in the Cabernet section of the portfolio. It hits all the varietal markers, delivering blackberry, cassis, soft herbs and easy fall spice, with fine grained tannin structure, fine-tuned acidity and a lithe feel for such a weighty wine. I would age this a while to let the tannins fold in a bit further if you are looking for perfect balance, or give it a good decant if you prefer youthful boldness."

Ladera Vineyards (official tasting note):
"Striking black and blue fruit aromas with prominent notes of dark chocolate and anise. On the palate, silky tannins and a lush texture accentuate the luscious, dark berry flavors."

Tasting Profile

Nose
Striking black and blue fruit aromas lead, with prominent dark chocolate and anise, joined by blackberry, cassis, dark cherry, graphite, and cedar.

Palate
Full-bodied and concentrated, with silky tannins and a lush texture carrying spiced dark berries, chocolate, and dried herbs, alongside walnut and moist earth, balanced by vibrant acidity.

Finish
Plush and velvety, closing with a lengthy, chocolaty aftertaste — genuinely built for both immediate enjoyment and further cellaring over the coming decade.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Bone-in ribeye or well-marbled cuts of beef
• Aged cheddar
• Charred or roasted vegetables
• Braised short ribs with red wine reduction