2018 Signorello Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
This young wine is already incredible, with the promise of even more returns over the next two decades. Younger vines mean a softer tannin structure, but that only makes it more approachable in the near term. It has so much of older brother Padrone’s intense varietal aromas and concentrated flavor. Dark fruits dominate the nose, interlaced with violet, dark chocolate and potpourri nuances. Rich and full-bodied with tremendous depth, it’s a long, satisfying ride to a lingering, coffee-laced finish.
We love those occasions when fate throws a wrench into someone's plan and everything turns out better than he ever could have mapped it himself. Such was the case with Ray Signorello Sr., who purchased a 100-acre estate in and around Napa Valley's Stags' Leap District with the plan to grow and sell grapes to existing wineries. All was going well until a surplus crop in 1985 left Ray with more fruit than he could possibly off-load. A glass half full kind of guy, Ray decided to give custom crush a shot. The results were so tasty; he realized that if he could make drinkable wine, then a real winemaker could work magic with such top-notch fruit. Since that 1985 experiment, Signorello has evolved into one of our favorite producers of small production Burgundian and Bordeaux-inspired wines. Ray Jr.'s focus is always on the fruit. Ray shares a similar vision with consulting winemaker Luc Morlet and winemaker Pierre Birebent - a vision favoring restraint and elegance to in-your-face and obvious.
Vinous
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is laced with bright red-toned fruit, rose petal, cinnamon and a kiss of new French oak. Beautifully aromatic and nuanced, the 2018 captures all the best this vintage has to offer. Bright acids and mid-weight structure are the signatures in this very pretty, nuanced Cabernet Sauvignon. The 12% Franc really drives the aromatic profile. This is such a vivid wine
James Suckling
A pretty, plush red with lots of blackcurrant, blackberry, dark-chocolate and walnut character. It’s full-bodied and layered with lots of ripe tannins and a flavorful finish. Still needs time to come together. Juicy and layered, but not overdone. 81% cabernet sauvignon, 12% cabernet franc, 6.5% merlot and 0.5% malbec. Best after 2023