The Rutherford section of the Napa Valley is home to some of the region's most famous and distinctive Cabernet Sauvignons, and in the nearly perfect 2018 vintage, the fine folks at Honig made one of their best Cabs of all time.
A customer tipped me off about the this one....thanks T.O. After tasting it with my staff last week, I bought a pile of it, as the 2018 Napa Cabs are dwindling. Produced with grapes from Honig's estate vineyards in the heart of Rutherford, this is a classy, pure, and elegant taste of Rutherford Cab at a great price.
2018 Honig Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
"Classy, classic, and beautiful Rutherford Cab from a great vintage." 95 points - Josh Spurling
ORDER NOW in our online store.
Simply put, this is what I want Napa Cab to taste like, all the time. I've always had a soft spot for Rutherford Cabs, as the unique terroir of this region produces finely detailed and elegant Cabs. Nestled in between Oakville and Saint Helena, the sandy and gravelly soils are ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon, and the area's unique microclimate allows for longer hang time. The result is wines with more rounded, soft, and dusty-styled tannins, imparting such a distinct signature that it’s known as “Rutherford Dust.”
The Honig Family moved to the Napa Valley and set up shop in Rutherford in 1964. For the next several years, they grew grapes and sold them to neighboring wineries. In 1980, the family released their first wine, a Sauvignon Blanc, which was met with much acclaim. Seven years later, they added a Cabernet Sauvignon to their arsenal and today, the winery remains family owned and operated and 100% focused on Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
I love and stock their Sauvignon Blanc too, but they really knocked it outta' the park with their 2018 Cab. In case you forgot, Vintage 2018 was a dreamy one for the producers of the Napa Valley. Wine Spectator rated the overall Napa Cab vintage at 99 points, calling it "a spectacular year, with wines that are rich and dark, but detailed, restrained in style and very terroir-driven." Yep, that is a proper analysis!
All of those virtues are on full display here. This one pours that beautiful, nearly opaque color that all top-flight Napa Cabs do. This is followed by a stunning bouquet of cassis, plum, dark currant, loamy earth, bay leaf, and spicy oak. On the palate, the wine is harmonious, elegant, and a little too easy to drink. I love this wine's combination of style, complexity, and finesse.
It's really got it going on, and a bottle of this with a grilled ribeye would be heavenly, but food is not necessary. Try a bottle next to a roaring fire with some Miles Davis playing in the background, sip slowly, sink in, and let go. Cheers to happy drinking and eating in Asheville!
ORDER NOW in our online store.
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville