Venerable Vines Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage 2021
U.S.A. Wine of the Year. Best Cabernet Sauvignon Worldwide – Critics Challenge
The striking beauty of this wine was clearly evident to me when tasting it initially “blind,” and the beauty is really about intricate savory details that seem almost perfectly interwoven with gorgeously pure fruit… calls to mind the suave gorgeousness of a Margaux from a great vintage… It may get better still with additional time in bottle, but it doesn’t need more time to soften. How it achieved this level of complexity within four years from when the fruit was still on the vines is probably explained by the “Venerable Vines” on which that fruit was grown. This is one of the most surprising and wonderful of the roughly 4,500 wines I’ve tasted to date this year.”
– Rating 98 points. / $295 / Michael Franz, 6.25.2025, winereviewonline
Vintage 2019
Best Cabernet Sauvignon Worldwide, Platinum – International Sommelier Challenge. CELLAR TROPHY
This is a new, eponymous project for the longtime winemaker of Punch Vineyards and other highly sought after Napa Cabernet Sauvignons. The word “venerable” in the case of this bottle refers to 100 year old vines. Cabernet vines of this age are quite rare, and here they make for something quite unexpected. Your first guess would be France on a blind whiff, with a rather classic Bordeaux character jumping out of the glass, slowly giving way to a deeply layered, perfumed mix of fruit and brown spice. All of this shows on the palate, with great depth and supple texture. The finish goes on and on – It’s the most unique Napa Cab I’ve tasted, and it’s certainly a cellar trophy if you roll in this price tier. Bravo!”
– Rating: 98 pts / $295 / Rich Cook, 9.27.23 , winereviewonline.com
Bracero Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage 2021
Platinum – Critics Challenge
This is a firmly structured Cabernet with plenty of tannin to assure years of additional development. Although these tannins assert themselves before the mid-palate flavors seem to have really expressed themselves fully, the wine is neither “blunt” nor “hard”—just robust and suited to comparably robust foods with some buffering dietary fat (braised lamb shanks come to mind). The proportions of the wine seem well measured even if rather unusual for 2021 Cabs from Napa, so the best course of action may be to cellar this for at least five more years before cracking into it.”
– Rating: 94 pts / $120 / Michael Franz, 7.9.2025, winereviewonline.com
Vintage 2020
Best Cabernet Sauvignon Worldwide, Platinum – International Sommelier Challenge. CLASSIC.
The full throttle style that came to the forefront in Napa Valley in the late 1980’s/early 1990’s is on display here, and that said, it’s a wine that rides right up to the line and holds there, not showing any signs of overripe fruit or overt barrel characteristics, opting instead for nuance and complexity while maintaining boldness and weight. Everything is seamlessly folded together in a way that will capture admiration from a wide range of drinkers. It’s tiny production wine, but it’s also a classic that’s worth seeking out.”
– Rating: 97 pts. / $120 / Rich Cook, 9.27.23, winereviewonline.com
Vintage 2019
Platinum, Directors Choice – International Sommelier Challenge. CELLAR SELECTION.
This is a brand-new label, and right out of the gate great things are afoot. A “bracero” is a laborer, and this wine is clearly a labor of love. Made in an old school Napa style, the wine doesn’t shy away from a little herbal character that enhances the mix of black and red fruit, and some pepper adds even more depth. Great finish push wraps things up – decant well in youth, or age this for several years. Excellent!”
– Rating: 93 pts / Rich Cook, 9.27.23, winereviewonline.com