Vintage Notes

2017 - Cabernet Sauvignon

Dark ruby glows from the glass giving off graceful tears as the wine swirls. A truly opulent nose floods the room with tragically expressive aromas of raspberry, Amarena cherry, graphite, cigar box and some cassis. The palate follows suit with bright redcurrant and ripe red fruits redolent of walks amongst flowering blackberries in English gardens, along with a baking molten chocolate cake that leads into elegantly soft tannins. The long indulgent finish with a hint of marjoram and new French oak professes the wine is primed to drink right away and over the next decade.

• 2,868 bottles produced
• Cabernet Sauvignon 97%, Merlot 2%, Cabernet Franc 1%
• 70% Estate grown on a Stags Leap hillside with 33% - 40% slope
• Vines were 30 years old
• Aged in 80% new French oak for 20 months in barrels from Tonnelleire
• Orion, Darnajou, Ermitage & Alain Fouquet
• Release May 2021
• $115 bottle

2016 - Cabernet Sauvignon

• 2,004 bottles produced
• Cabernet Sauvignon 97%, Merlot 2%, Cabernet Franc 1%
• 70% Estate grown on a Stags Leap hillside with 33% - 40% slope
• Vines were 29 years old
• Aged in 30% new French oak for 21 months in barrels from Tonnelleire Baron & Alain Fouquet
• Release March 2020 164 cases
• $115 bottle

2015 - Cabernet Sauvignon

• Release date - Late Fall 2018
• 1,112 bottles produced
• Cabernet Sauvignon 94%, Merlot 4%, Cabernet Franc 2%
• 18 months in a combination of new and used French oak
• Robert Parker rating: 92

2014 - Cabernet Sauvignon

• Release date - October 2017
• 237 cases produced
• Cabernet Sauvignon 94%, Merlot 4%, Cabernet Franc 2%
• 18 months in a combination of new and used French oak
• The wine opens with ripe cherry and hints of cinnamon, and brown sugar. A lush dark plum and blackcurrant entry gives way to a mid-palate of roasted coffee and a touch of baking chocolate. It finishes with lingering yet subtle flavors of white chocolate and vanilla. Overall, the 2014 Cavus is well balanced with a decadent richness.

2013 - Cabernet Sauvignon

• Release date - August 2016
• 167 cases produced
• Cabernet Sauvignon 94%, Merlot 4%, Cabernet Franc 2%
• 18 months in a combination of new and used French oak
• 93 points - Robert Parker - Made by the creative and talented Dave Phinney for owners Laurel and Daryl Browman, this wine comes from a vineyard south of the Shafer Hillside Vineyard on a south-facing slope that is pure Stags Leap AVA material. Cavus is a tiny property, and only a small amount is produced, so I will keep my comments short. Dense ruby/purple, with notes of spring flowers, blue and black fruits, licorice and a hint of charcoal, this wine is ripe, full-bodied, rich, and another terrific 2013. Drink it over the next 15+ years.

2012 - Cabernet Sauvignon

• Release date - August 2015
• 177 cases produced
• Cabernet Sauvignon 94%, Merlot 4%, Cabernet Franc 2%
• 18 months in a combination of new and used French oak
• 96+ Points - California Wine Advisors: "Classic" - An absolute titan, the 2012 Cavus displays the rich chocolate and blueberry intrinsic to the Stag’s Leap District in Napa’s finest vintages. The billowy, beautiful bouquet leads to an expansive- silky smooth palate that offers delectable layers of black cherry, cassis, violets, mocha and spice box. This is gorgeous now and will continue to thrill for another decade.

2011 - Cabernet Sauvignon

• Released September 2014
• 96 cases produced
• Cabernet Sauvignon 94%, Merlot 4%, Cabernet Franc 2%
• 18 months in a combination of new and used French oak

2010 - Cabernet Sauvignon

• Release date September 2013
• Cabernet Sauvignon 94%, Merlot 4%, Cabernet Franc 2%
• 18 months in a combination of new and used French oak
• Alcohol 15.25%
• 176 cases produced
• 94 points - Wine Spectator - A potent expression of Cabernet, dense, rich and layered, with tiers of mocha, dark berry, cedar, black licorice and crushed rock, tightening on the finish. Cellaring is mandatory. Best from 2015 through 2028. 176 cases made.
• 95+ Points - Wine Insiders: "Classic" - The glass explodes with a bowl full of ripe red cherry and jammy red and black fruit. The palate is loaded with red and black currant, creme de cassis, graphite, and mixed red fruits on the finish. Simply gorgeous now, it should cellar beautifully for the next 10 years."
• 92 points - Robert Parker - Made by Dave Phinney, this 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits an elegant style, which is surprising given the fact that it is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Aged 18 months in 50% new oak, it offers lots of jammy red and black currant notes intermixed with notions of smoke, lead pencil shavings, baking spices and Christmas fruitcake. Deep and medium to full-bodied with sweet tannin and a long finish, this impressive 2010 should age nicely for 15 or more years.

2009 - Cabernet Sauvignon

• Release date October 2012
• Cabernet Sauvignon 94%, Merlot 4%, Cabernet Franc 2%
• 18 months in a combination of new and used French oak
• Alcohol 15.25%
• 220 cases produced
• 93 points – Robert Parker - The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is richer and deeper than the 2008. Black cherries, flowers, licorice and spices are some of the nuances that flow from this beautifully articulated wine. Dark spices, menthol and rose petals are layered into the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024. 93 points

2008 - Cabernet Sauvignon

• Release date September 2011
• Cabernet Sauvignon 94%, Merlot 4%, Cabernet Franc 2%
• 18 months in a combination of new and used French oak
• Alcohol 15.25%
• 185 cases produced
• 93 points – Robert Parker - The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon is a gorgeous, refined wine laced with silky perfumed red fruit, flowers, spices and mint. It is one of the more sensual, polished 2008s readers will come across. This accessible, totally delicious Cabernet should continue to drink well for a handful of years. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020

2007 - Cabernet Sauvignon

• Release date November 2010
• Cabernet Sauvignon 94%, Merlot 4%, Cabernet Franc 2%
• 18 months in a combination of new and used French oak
• Alcohol 15.75%
• 155 cases produced
• 95 points: Robert Parker - “the blockbuster 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon ratchets up the level of intensity, power, concentration and depth. Filled with notes of flowers, black raspberries, black currants, cherries, licorice, spice box, subtle herbs, and new oak, it will be even better in 3-4 years of bottle age and should keep for 25 years.”

2006 - Cabernet Sauvignon

• Release date March 1, 2010
• Cabernet Sauvignon 94%, Merlot 4%, Cabernet Franc 2%
• 30 months in a combination of new and used French oak
• Alcohol 15.3%
• 295 cases produced
• 91 points – Wine Spectator - Rustic, and pleasantly so, with earthy herb, dried berry, plum and black licorice flavors that are pure and full-bodied. Fleshy and structured at points, ending with a mix of black licorice and berry flavors. Drink now through 2017.
• 91 points – Robert Parker - the ‘06 Cabernet Sauvignon is an elegant, Margaux-like red revealing subtle notes of flowers, earth, and red, blue fruits, medium body, and beautiful density, purity, and overall symmetry.

2005 - Cabernet Sauvignon

• 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon 95%, Merlot 3%, Cabernet Franc 2%
• Aged in French oak for 32 months
• 15.5% alcohol
• Production – 350 cases
• To be released March 16, 2009
• 95 points - Wine Spectator - a wine from California … steals the spotlight this week. James Laube finds a Cabernet sauvignon from the Stags Leap District which earns a classic rating in just its second release. it’s priced at $80 (a relative value for small-production, high-end Napa Cabernet) and it’s made by Dave Phinney of Orin Swift from a vineyard managed by viticulturist Jim Barbour.” Combines bold, ripe, rich and supple currant and blackberry fruit with shades of anise, mineral, black licorice, mocha and graphite. Picks up a complex earthiness, ending with a long, focused finish and fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2017.

2004 - Cabernet Sauvignon

• Cabernet Sauvignon 94%, Merlot 4%, Cabernet Franc 2%
• Aged in French oak for 32 months
• 15.5% alcohol
• Production - 230 cases
• Drink now through 2016
• 94 points– Robert Parker - This stunning 2004, from the Browman Family Vineyards, boasts a dense ruby/purple color as well as beautiful floral, black currant, chocolate and espresso roast characteristics. Full-bodied and opulent, it spent 32 months in French oak prior to bottling. This impressive debut vintage is aging well.