Cornerstone Cellars Benchland Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Masterful Napa Cab: 2015 Cornerstone Benchlands Cabernet Sauvignon

SOLD OUT! Great vintage plus top sites plus two of Napa’s top winemakers equals brilliant Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2015 Cornerstone Benchlands Cabernet Sauvignon is my latest find, and you’re gonna’ love it!

From top valley floor sites in Rutherford and Oakville, the sun and warmth of the 2015 vintage yielded a bold, plush, pleasure-bent bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. If you liked the 2015 Venge ‘Silencieux’ Cabernet Sauvignon, jump on this deal.

Cornerstone Benchlands Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2015 Cornerstone 'Benchlands' Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

95 points – JS – That’s me in case you were wondering

SOLD OUT

If you’re not familiar with Cornerstone Cellars, it makes sense as this is a very small operation. Founded in 1991 by a pair Memphis-based physicians and wine lovers, the winery got off to a pretty remarkable and noteworthy start. Founders Michael Dragutsky and David Sloas were visiting the ‘Howell Mountain Master’ Randy Dunn in 1991. Randy had some extra fruit that year, and he offered to sell it to the duo. They bought it, they made their first wine, and Cornerstone Cellars was established.

Since then, they’ve expanded their vineyard sources and they’ve hired two of Napa’s top winemakers. Head winemaker Kari Auringer trained under the legendary Celia Welch, who made the wines at Cornerstone from 2000 to 2007. And Consulting Winemaker Charles Thomas has quite the resume as well. Charles oversaw production of the Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabs, the first twelve vintages of Opus One were produced under his care, and James Laube of Wine Spectator called him “one of California’s best winemakers.” Let’s just say there’s a bit of know-how present at Cornerstone Cellars.

Like I said earlier, if you liked the 2015 Venge Cab, you’re going to like this as well. Open, ripe, opulent and accessible, this one opens with gorgeous aromas of cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, mocha, sweet spices, and a touch of herb and earth. On the palate, the texture is what really grabbed me — it’s velvety and soft with flavors of ripe dark fruits, dark chocolate, and oak spices. Totally ready to be enjoyed now, I’m sure it will continue to provide pleasure for another 5-7 years.

Just under 1,000 six-packs were produced in the ripe and heady 2015 vintage, and I snagged my distributor’s remaining inventory. It’s been a bit since I’ve offered up such a great Napa Cab at such a great price. And with the new vintage of Venge not set to arrive until late summer – early fall, this will do the trick.

Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville

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