Corison Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Cathy Corison has never been particularly interested in following Napa Valley's fashions, and that is exactly why we admire her. Since founding her winery in 1987, she has pursued a singular vision of Cabernet Sauvignon: powerful enough to age beautifully, yet elegant enough to enjoy at the dinner table. Working with exceptional vineyards on the gravelly benchlands between Rutherford and St. Helena, Cathy has built a reputation for wines that value freshness, balance and vineyard character over excessive ripeness. Her approach has remained remarkably consistent, even as the surrounding wine world has changed.

The 2023 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon reflects the qualities that make these benchland vineyards so special. Their gravelly loam soils provide excellent drainage, while Napa's warm days and cool nights allow Cabernet Sauvignon to develop flavor without sacrificing natural acidity. Cathy and her daughter Grace work with a philosophy of gentle extraction and minimal intervention, allowing the fruit to express itself without unnecessary manipulation. Following fermentation, the wine spends approximately 20 months in small French oak barrels, developing complexity while preserving the clarity of the fruit.

What we love about this 2023 is how beautifully it balances intensity with restraint. Black cherry and cassis lead the way, followed by dried roses, violets, cedar and a lovely savory note of Mediterranean herbs. The palate has depth and concentration, but there is nothing heavy or overdone about it. Fresh acidity and finely textured tannins give the wine energy, while its long, graceful finish suggests years of development ahead. This is Napa Cabernet as we believe it should be: expressive, age-worthy and genuinely enjoyable with food.