Reviews & Ratings

2018 Ehlers Estate Cabernet Sauvignon "Napa Valley"

Winery: Ehlers Estate

Vintage: 2018

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Napa Valley"

Wine Category: Cabernet Sauvignon

Grape blend: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon (18% Non-Estate) & 14% Cabernet Franc

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Napa Valley

State or country: CA

Price: $72

Cases produced: 2,541

KWG Score: 92.3 (based on 3 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (93)

Review date: October 21, 2021

Wine Review: This midnight purple colored Cabernet Sauvignon from Ehlers opens with a black currant and black licorice bouquet with a hint of oak. On the palate, this wine is medium plus bodied with nicely integrated medium acidity. The mouthfeel is smooth, balanced and savory. The flavor profile is a tasty black currant and blackberry blend with notes of crushed stone minerality and oak. I also detected hints of stewed plum and anise. The finish is very dry and initially it displays monster tannins that creep up and mix into the palate. That said, this wine definitely benefits from air and its tannins settle down after being open for a while. So, I would decant it a bit to soften those tannins and then serve it with a well-marbled ribeye. Enjoy – Ken

Winemaker Notes: The 2018 Ehlers' Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is our only non-Estate wine. Approximately 18% of the grapes for this wine were sourced from vineyards in Oakville and Yountville. The wine exhibits dusty aromas of dark and red berries, dry herbs, and spices in deep dark garnet. Black pepper and cedar, with hints of cherries, round out the nose. The first sip is earthy, mineral with pencil shaving and dust. Blueberries and dark chocolate accompany the long after taste. Medium to full-bodied with spices and cedar, boysenberries, and dry herbs like thyme and rosemary. Good tannins and structure. Enjoyable now, it will open up with decanting and will age well for 15-20 more years.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Ehlers Estate 2018 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon.