May 11: 2013-14 Napa Valley “nested” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa

With a setting in Napa for this tasting, what better choice of varietal than wines from Napa’s own AVAs.  Napa Valley itself is one big AVA (American Viticultural Area) and was the first AVA in California and the 2nd in the US (the oldest is the Augusta AVA in Missouri).  However, there are currently 107 AVAs in California and 16 new AVAs were created that are entirely within the larger Napa AVA.  So these 16 AVAs are “nested” with the larger Napa AVA and are sometimes called sub-appellations or sub-AVAs.

This tasting was focused on the top-rated 2013-14 Cabernet Sauvignons within the Napa AVA, and as has become the norm, the group results ranged widely among the 21 tasters.  Every wine had at least 2 first or second place and 2 seventh or last place votes.  Nonetheless, there was a clear favorite, the Oakville Paradigm 2013 w 62 points (bottle #2), which was the 2nd least expensive at $85.  The least favorite was the 2013 Stag’s Leap SLV (bottle #5) w 116 pts and a cost of $130.

Here’s a listing of the wines in the order they were tasted with their ratings and price.
2019-05 Tasting Sheet with results sorted by bottle

And here’s how each taster voted on these bottles:
2019-05 2013-2014 Napa Cab Subappellations

For full descriptions of all the wines tasted, click here: 2019-05 2013-2014 Napa Cab Sub AVA Critics reviews

There were also some fine pre-taste wines that were more moderately priced:
2019-05 Pre-Tasting Sheet

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The hosts Diane & David Gandara

2019-05 lineup
The hosts with the lineup in the order they were tasted

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Winner of the best dressed men contest: Rick & Indra

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Winner of the best bling award:  Marjie & Debby

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ANNOUNCEMENT

WHAT: Napa Valley “Nested” Appellation Cabernet Sauvignon (SINGLE POUR)
WHERE: Home of David and Diane Gandara
WHEN: Saturday, May 11 6 P.M.

At the May tasting we will feature 8 wines, each representing a separate nested (sub)-appellation of the Napa Valley AVA (the 1stawarded in CA). All the recognized districts possess different microclimates and terrains (some volcanic, some alluvial or even albariza, giving each its own distinct characteristics. See if you can distinguish classic cabernets, all household names and highly rated from the 2013-2014 vintages, from Howell Mountain versus Mt. Veeder versus Stag’s leap. With warming trends over the last 50 years, districts previously known only for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are now making world-class Cabernets. We will taste top-notch examples from Coombsville and even Carneros. We anticipate purchase of one or more of these wines for CCSF, as all are (hopefully) still available.
 
Following the tasting will be a catered dinner by Fume Bistro featuring Certified Black Angus short ribs with a Cabernet reduction sauce and lemon parsley gremolata.  If you don’t eat beef, let Diane know when you RSVP.