2018 Bella Oaks Proprietary Red Wine [V98]

Producer: Bella Oaks  
Region: Rutherford, Napa Valley, California 
Blend: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot, 8% Cabernet Franc  
Year: 2018 

Vinous, 98 Points 

"A majestic, totally riveting wine, the 2018 Bella Oaks Proprietary Red Wine soars out of the glass with breathtaking aromatics.  The 2018 reveals layer after layer of complexity with time in the glass in a stunning display that is hard to fully describe.  Dark cherry/plum fruit, mocha, dried herb and floral notes build into the sensual, utterly revising finish.  This is a mind-blowing debut from proprietor Suzanne Deal Booth and winemaker Nigel Kinsman.  Wow!!" 

About the Producer: 

"Bella Oaks is one of the most fascinating projects to come along in the decade or so I have been covering Napa Valley. It is both old and new, steeped in history and yet contemporary. Bella Oaks is among the most pedigreed vineyards in Napa Valley. 

Suzanne Deal Booth bought the vineyard in 2010, but it required significant replanting, which started in 2011 and wrapped up in 2015 under the direction of David Abreu. During this time the fruit went to Staglin, who bottled a Booth-Bella Oaks Cabernet.  She hired winemaker Nigel Kinsman and consulting winemaker Michel Rolland to realize that vision. The 2018 is the first commercial release and it is a stunner, especially for a wine from young vines. The eight barrel samples I tasted of the 2019 point to an equally brilliant wine in the making, Ordinarily I would say Bella Oaks is an estate to watch, but Vinous readers have surely figured that out by now." - Antonio Galloni 

Alcohol: 14.6% 

*Discounts do not apply to items like this one in the Fine & Rare category. Price and availability in store may vary.