| Vintage | Score | Drink Window | Description | ||||||
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Vintage2023 |
ScoreNYR |
Drink WindowNYR |
DescriptionA wet winter led to a dry, cool and very steady growing season, with harvest stretching out as the crop sized up, surprising many vintners. The vintage looks to be a stunner, with early returns showing wines with serious aromatic range and delineation. Add in the large crop and producers are already crowing (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionA wet winter led to a dry, cool and very steady growing season, with harvest stretching out as the crop sized up, surprising many vintners. The vintage looks to be a stunner, with early returns showing wines with serious aromatic range and delineation. Add in the large crop and producers are already crowing (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2022 |
ScoreNYR |
Drink WindowNYR |
DescriptionWinter provided plenty of water, giving the vineyards a good footing for another warm, dry season, but a prolonged heat wave over Labor Day weekend knocked the life out of many vineyards that were still ripening at the time. A bifurcated year between those who picked before the heat and those who picked after (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click for full tasting note): |
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DescriptionWinter provided plenty of water, giving the vineyards a good footing for another warm, dry season, but a prolonged heat wave over Labor Day weekend knocked the life out of many vineyards that were still ripening at the time. A bifurcated year between those who picked before the heat and those who picked after (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click to see full tasting note): |
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Vintage2021 |
Score97 |
Drink WindowHold |
DescriptionAs vines struggled to ripen their fruit at the end of 2020, they put less energy toward their nascent buds, resulting in a low crop in 2021. That small crop had to be thinned further to keep balance through a season marked by tiny canopies, but a lack of deleterious heat spikes and a cool, even August produced fresh, vibrant and powerfully fruited wines, showing precision, floral lift and a sense of place. This vintage cements the new style in Napa (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click for full tasting note): |
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DescriptionAs vines struggled to ripen their fruit at the end of 2020, they put less energy toward their nascent buds, resulting in a low crop in 2021. That small crop had to be thinned further to keep balance through a season marked by tiny canopies, but a lack of deleterious heat spikes and a cool, even August produced fresh, vibrant and powerfully fruited wines, showing precision, floral lift and a sense of place. This vintage cements the new style in Napa (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click to see full tasting note): |
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Vintage2020 |
Score87 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionThe setup—wet winter into dry spring—was ideal, but it all changed from there, with unrelenting heat. Wildfires bracketed the harvest, giving only a few producers the chance to thread the needle. Many estates missed the small window of opportunity and mostly declassified their crops. Wines have up-front fruit and rustic structures (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click for full tasting note): |
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DescriptionThe setup—wet winter into dry spring—was ideal, but it all changed from there, with unrelenting heat. Wildfires bracketed the harvest, giving only a few producers the chance to thread the needle. Many estates missed the small window of opportunity and mostly declassified their crops. Wines have up-front fruit and rustic structures (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click to see full tasting note): |
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Vintage2019 |
Score96 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionA wet spring resulted in less overt tannic structure, with small, concentrated berries delivering dense yet pure fruit flavors. Harvest stretched into October thanks to very moderate temperatures in August and September. Wines are ripe and lush yet well-defined; a worthy follow-up to the benchmark 2018 vintage (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click for full tasting note): |
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DescriptionA wet spring resulted in less overt tannic structure, with small, concentrated berries delivering dense yet pure fruit flavors. Harvest stretched into October thanks to very moderate temperatures in August and September. Wines are ripe and lush yet well-defined; a worthy follow-up to the benchmark 2018 vintage (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click to see full tasting note): |
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Vintage2018 |
Score99 |
Drink WindowHold |
DescriptionA wet winter provided sufficient water through the dry, warm, even-keeled season. Ripening was slow under full canopies, and the drawn-out harvest allowed producers to pick when they wanted. A spectacular year, with wines that are rich and dark, but detailed, restrained in style and very terroir-driven (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click for full tasting note): |
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DescriptionA wet winter provided sufficient water through the dry, warm, even-keeled season. Ripening was slow under full canopies, and the drawn-out harvest allowed producers to pick when they wanted. A spectacular year, with wines that are rich and dark, but detailed, restrained in style and very terroir-driven (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click to see full tasting note): |
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Vintage2017 |
Score92 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionDrought broke over the winter, with lots of vegetation and healthy vines to start the season. Good growing season turned wickedly hot in early September, with no cooling-off period, then wildfires raged in early October, raising the specter of smoke taint. Napa’s most difficult season in recent memory (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click for full tasting note): |
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DescriptionDrought broke over the winter, with lots of vegetation and healthy vines to start the season. Good growing season turned wickedly hot in early September, with no cooling-off period, then wildfires raged in early October, raising the specter of smoke taint. Napa’s most difficult season in recent memory (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click to see full tasting note): |
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Vintage2016 |
Score98 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionThe final drought-influenced vintage of the run since 2012, this time without serious heat spikes. Rockier soils and drier spots ripened first, while heavier soils allowed for longer hang time. Wines show intense fruit against the backdrop of their varying terroirs; crop still down from normal (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click for full tasting note): |
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DescriptionThe final drought-influenced vintage of the run since 2012, this time without serious heat spikes. Rockier soils and drier spots ripened first, while heavier soils allowed for longer hang time. Wines show intense fruit against the backdrop of their varying terroirs; crop still down from normal (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click to see full tasting note): |
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Vintage2015 |
Score94 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionThe fourth drought-influenced year in a row, plus a cold spell during flowering led to significantly lower yields. The smaller crop ripened quickly, though, with picking beginning in August. Quality is high but more variable than 2016 or 2013, as sugars sometimes raced ahead of phenolics (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click for full tasting note): |
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DescriptionThe fourth drought-influenced year in a row, plus a cold spell during flowering led to significantly lower yields. The smaller crop ripened quickly, though, with picking beginning in August. Quality is high but more variable than 2016 or 2013, as sugars sometimes raced ahead of phenolics (See all ratings)Top-scoring wines (click to see full tasting note): |
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Vintage2014 |
Score95 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionHeavy rains in February and March gave the vines an early boost—though not enough to break the drought—and from there warm, dry conditions led to an early harvest. Quality is very consistent, with the wines showing power and depth, as well as extra aromatic range. A beautiful vintage with a distinct signature (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionHeavy rains in February and March gave the vines an early boost—though not enough to break the drought—and from there warm, dry conditions led to an early harvest. Quality is very consistent, with the wines showing power and depth, as well as extra aromatic range. A beautiful vintage with a distinct signature (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2013 |
Score97 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionPractically a flawless growing season, with moderate temperatures throughout and no heat spikes or rain. Earliest harvest in 25 years started in August, but Indian summer conditions allowed growers to pick blocks as they wanted through late October. Wines brim with fruit and structure. A no-brainer benchmark (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionPractically a flawless growing season, with moderate temperatures throughout and no heat spikes or rain. Earliest harvest in 25 years started in August, but Indian summer conditions allowed growers to pick blocks as they wanted through late October. Wines brim with fruit and structure. A no-brainer benchmark (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2012 |
Score96 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionThe first of California’s drought-influenced run and a welcome return to warm, dry conditions following the rain-marred 2011 season. Record-sized crop with many stars; a solid vintage across the board marked by a tannic spine that will age well (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionThe first of California’s drought-influenced run and a welcome return to warm, dry conditions following the rain-marred 2011 season. Record-sized crop with many stars; a solid vintage across the board marked by a tannic spine that will age well (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2011 |
Score88 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionRare rainy harvest proved it can happen; few sunny spots, with variable quality, though the best show aromatic range and nuance. Along with 2010, this was a turning point for producers who began to move away from the hyperripe style (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionRare rainy harvest proved it can happen; few sunny spots, with variable quality, though the best show aromatic range and nuance. Along with 2010, this was a turning point for producers who began to move away from the hyperripe style (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2010 |
Score96 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionCool, steady year; wines show exceptional quality, tight, dense and layered (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionCool, steady year; wines show exceptional quality, tight, dense and layered (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2009 |
Score96 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionLate, cool year yielding a surprise bounty of pure, opulent wines (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionLate, cool year yielding a surprise bounty of pure, opulent wines (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2008 |
Score96 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionFrost year lowered yields but not quality; unique for its depth and concentration (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionFrost year lowered yields but not quality; unique for its depth and concentration (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2007 |
Score97 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionTextbook year; small crop, ideal ripening, wines defined by complexity and plush tannins (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionTextbook year; small crop, ideal ripening, wines defined by complexity and plush tannins (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2006 |
Score95 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionA late, cool harvest produced dense, concentrated and ageworthy wines (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionA late, cool harvest produced dense, concentrated and ageworthy wines (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2005 |
Score92 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionRecord-size crop; best are elegant and balanced, yet many are tannic and drying out (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionRecord-size crop; best are elegant and balanced, yet many are tannic and drying out (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2004 |
Score95 |
Drink WindowDrink or hold |
DescriptionSmall crop of exceptional quality; ripe, elegant, concentrated and harmonious (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionSmall crop of exceptional quality; ripe, elegant, concentrated and harmonious (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2003 |
Score85 |
Drink WindowPast peak |
DescriptionUneven ripeness; austere and tannic in style. More like 2000 than 2001 or 2002 (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionUneven ripeness; austere and tannic in style. More like 2000 than 2001 or 2002 (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2002 |
Score93 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionSuperb in Napa; dense and rich, rivaling 2001 for depth and complexity (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionSuperb in Napa; dense and rich, rivaling 2001 for depth and complexity (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2001 |
Score93 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionExcellent weather; many stunning wines but also a few disappointments (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionExcellent weather; many stunning wines but also a few disappointments (See all ratings) |
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Vintage2000 |
Score85 |
Drink WindowPast peak |
DescriptionMixed and a bit green overall, but some stellar wines that may be overlooked and undervalued (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionMixed and a bit green overall, but some stellar wines that may be overlooked and undervalued (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1999 |
Score97 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionTremendous depth, concentration and structure from a cool, moderate year; ageworthy (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionTremendous depth, concentration and structure from a cool, moderate year; ageworthy (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1998 |
Score84 |
Drink WindowPast peak |
DescriptionCool, damp year with mostly green, herbal wines marked by gritty tannins; few memorable bottles (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionCool, damp year with mostly green, herbal wines marked by gritty tannins; few memorable bottles (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1997 |
Score93 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionHyperripe, opulent, fleshy, concentrated wines from near-perfect weather delivered early hedonism, though some producers jumped the shark in terms of ripeness. A huge crop led to wines burning the candle at both ends; many have peaked (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionHyperripe, opulent, fleshy, concentrated wines from near-perfect weather delivered early hedonism, though some producers jumped the shark in terms of ripeness. A huge crop led to wines burning the candle at both ends; many have peaked (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1996 |
Score96 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionA sleeper, with a remarkable number of compelling wines; warm year with fine concentration and depth (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionA sleeper, with a remarkable number of compelling wines; warm year with fine concentration and depth (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1995 |
Score97 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionSurprisingly fine year, with wines marked by great flavors, balance and structure (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionSurprisingly fine year, with wines marked by great flavors, balance and structure (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1994 |
Score97 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionA showy year all around; ripe, complex and fleshy, with excellent depth (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionA showy year all around; ripe, complex and fleshy, with excellent depth (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1993 |
Score88 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionJust off the pace, with well-balanced, supple wines; a few stars (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionJust off the pace, with well-balanced, supple wines; a few stars (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1992 |
Score93 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionFine growing season led to uniformly rich, fleshy, supple and balanced wines (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionFine growing season led to uniformly rich, fleshy, supple and balanced wines (See all ratings) |
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Vintage1991 |
Score91 |
Drink WindowDrink |
DescriptionBig crop, ripe and complex; a star early on, only to be eclipsed by others this decade (See all ratings) |
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DescriptionBig crop, ripe and complex; a star early on, only to be eclipsed by others this decade (See all ratings) |
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Notable older vintages: 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1978, 1974, 1970, 1968, 1958, 1951, 1941, 1936 |
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Vintage ratings: 95-100, classic; 90-94, outstanding; 85-89, very good; 80-84, good; 75-79, mediocre; 50-74, not recommended
A score range indicates preliminary analysis based on barrel samples and/or a limited sampling; many wines of the vintage not yet reviewed.
Drinkability: "NYR" means the vintage has not yet been released; "drink" means most of the wines of the vintage are ready to drink; "hold" means most of the ageworthy wines have yet to fully mature; "past peak" means most of the wines are declining rather than improving.
SOURCE: WINE SPECTATOR
