Cab only? Whereabouts?
Discussion
My vineyard is in someone’s backyard up in Browns Valley, Napa CA.
I mainly do Cab because it’s what I grow. I have done Pinot in 2019 & 2020 but the vineyard I bought grapes from sold. I made a small amount Petit Verdot last year to blend with. I also buy Cab from a vineyard in Howell Mountain and might be getting other Bordeaux verities from there too but we will see.
Any Franc?
No Cab Franc maybe next year
Curious. I'm yet to taste anything from Napa that doesn't seem like it could have been grown in the Barossa. I've had some surprisingly delicious wines from the Finger Lakes (including a Franc) and Arizona (Caduceus), and further north, Oregon too. But, generally, have found that whatever the US can do, in terms of wine, I can find an equivalent or better in Aus/NZ. Must try more. 🍇🍷🫡
I love all those regions! Barossa produces beautiful wines; some stylistically reminiscent of Napa, but still quite distinct. Napa Cabernet Sauvignon tends to show higher acidity and firmer tannins, while Barossa often leans toward riper fruit expression and softer structure. That said, you can absolutely find compelling equivalents in Australia (especially Margaret River) and New Zealand (particularly Central Otago, though it’s more known for Pinot Noir than Cab).
In Napa, I see three broad terroir categories: valley floor, hillside slopes, and mountain sites. Each yields markedly different styles in terms of aromatics, tannin structure, acidity, and alcohol. Unfortunately, many wine drinkers outside the U.S. rarely encounter slope or mountain grown Napa fruit or even well crafted Napa Cab in general. The diversity within the region is often underappreciated.
Thanks for your note. I love chatting about wine with fellow enophiles!