6 high-score Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Napa Valley is arguably California’s best known wine region and will be forever associated with the 1976 Judgement of Paris blind tasting that saw some of the world’s top palates, including Decanter’s Steven Spurrier , rate Napa Cabernet Sauvignon from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ahead of classified Bordeaux.
In the subsequent 40 years, Napa Valley has gone from having a few dozen wineries to several hundred – reaching the point where limits on new winery permits are a hot topic of conversation in the area. Trade body Napa Valley Vintners has 500 members, but was formed by just seven vintners in 1944.

Find six of the best Cabernet Sauvignons from Decanter magazine's panel tasting. All wines are available to buy in China.

The Napa Valley Quiz

The Judgement of Paris Quiz

Wines

Atalon, Napa Valley, USA 2011

Chimney Rock, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, USA 2011

Highly recommended

（Sold at online shops）
Ripe black cherry nose, slightly jammy, but there's stylish oak to counter it. Bold, nervy, with power and concentration. More savoury than many from this district.

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Quintessa, Rutherford, Napa Valley, USA 2011

Highly recommended

（Sold at online shops）
A touch of eucalyptus at first followed by baked black fruits and some slightly savoury notes. Rich and suave, a hedonistic style without being flat or flabby. It has an attractive sleek, cassis finish, and herb- dusted lingering depth.

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Joseph Phelps, Napa Valley, USA 2011

Highly recommended

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Dense toasty nose of liquorice and fruitcake; very powerful. The palate has a silky texture but shows a great richness and concentration. There is still considerable grip there but impressive fruit weight too.

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Spottswoode, St. Helena, Napa Valley, USA 2011

Highly recommended

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Lean delicate blackcurrant nose with a light but not unpleasant herbaceous tone. The palate has more dark fruits than the nose and is balanced by the ripe tannins. Very elegant and sleek; beautifully made.

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Beringer, Napa Valley, USA 2011

Outstanding

Charred oak dominates the nose, with plum and black cherry fruit lurking in the background. Rich and voluptuous, with fine concentration and surprising acidic lift. Intense and peppery, a bit linear, but has fine tension; assertive and persistent. Admirable length, impeccable balance, and a toasty finish.

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