Of all the famous European families to issue top Napa Valley Cabernets (the Rothschilds at Opus, Christian Moeuix at Dominus, etc.), Antinori’s story may be the most remarkable. Piero Antinori actually `began looking for vineyard land in Napa in 1966, when his friend Robert Mondavi started his winery. It took Antinori 20 years to find one that excited him – on a steep, very rugged hillside on Atlas Peak, which reminded him of his own Tuscan Solaia.
It was so steep and rugged, in fact, the locals told him he was crazy to try planting a vineyard there. Eventually, Antinori bought out all of his partners and established “Antica” – for “Antinori California.” (But also meaning “ancient” in Italian.)
From this extraordinary site, Antinori and their famed oenologist Renzo Cotarella select only the top 12% of their Cabernet crop, selling off the rest mainly to Cabernets and blends that cost way more than theirs.
Great reviews all around on this 2018: the Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator, Suckling and Dunnuck all rate it outstanding.
The Wine Advocate says:
Composed of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Mountain Select sails out of the glass with vibrant scents of freshly crushed blueberries, black raspberries and ripe blackcurrants with hints of dried mint, violets, pencil lead and iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, the palate shimmers with gorgeous energy, featuring and a lively backbone cutting through the tightly wound black fruit layers and grainy tannins, finishing with a minty lift.
And Dunnuck:
Revealing a deep ruby/purple color as well as a classic Cabernet nose of red and black currants, green tobacco, cedarwood, and Asian spices, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a seamless, elegant texture, nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish. This is a complex, satisfying, impeccably made Cabernet Sauvignon to enjoy over the coming 10-15 years.
As they all note, though, this is a big, powerful mountain Cabernet – and it will be better in a few years.
Does it compare to Opus and Dominus? Maybe…and especially with some age on it. But it’s a fraction the price.
