10 of the Best Wines from Napa Valley

It’s hard to believe California’s Napa Valley could produce better wine after the amazing 2012 vintage released last year, but it did just that with the 2013. The best wines show superb structure and richness, yet shy away from the overly fruity style of the recent past. James Suckling chose these 10 reds as some of the best after tasting close to 500 in the Napa Valley at the beginning of the year.

Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Oakville Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard 2013

This is incredible, with blackberry, oyster shell, iodine, stone and graphite. Perfect nose. A full body yet so balanced and dense, with terrific subtle fruit and a salty, savoury finish. Like sea salt with raw Wagyu beef. Better in 2020 but amazing to taste now. 100 points

Continuum Napa Valley 2013

Impressive purity of fruit and definition, with blackcurrant, oyster shell, blueberry, slate and graphite. Very complex yet subtle. Full-bodied, chewy and powerful, yet polished and gorgeous. Muscular, well-formed tannins. Electric style. Drink in 2020. 99 points

Peter Michael Winery Napa Valley

Oakville Au Paradis 2013 The complex aromas are amazing, with hot stone, blackcurrant, meat and iron. Turns to porcini and wet earth. Cassis leaf too. A full body, velvety and savoury, with blueberry, iron, iodine and oyster shell. Classic texture. Fabulous to taste now but will age beautifully for decades. 99 points

Dominus Napa Valley 2013

The aromas are multidimensional and fascinating, with black truffles, bark, cloves, blackcurrant and citrus—even ginseng. Full bodied yet reserved and even austere, with chewy and powerful tannins. The flavours are more umami and savoury. Lasts for minutes. A wine to age for a lifetime. New classic showing its history and tradition as a source of the greatest wines ever from Napa. 100 points

Realm Cellars Napa Valley Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard 2013

This is extraordinary on the nose, with cold stone, minerals, wet earth and fresh spices. A full body, incredible backbone of tannins, great length. When you taste it, it brings you down to the roots and soul of the wine. This is what To Kalon is supposed to taste like. Pure cabernet sauvignon. Just 450 cases. 100 points

Opus One Napa Valley 2013

The greatest Opus. Terrific aromas of crushed blackcurrant, blueberry and flowers with hints of sweet tobacco. Roses exude opulence and class. Full body, superb balance of ultra-fine tannins and vibrant acidity. Complex aftertaste of dark fruits and citrus. So approachable now but even better in 2019 and beyond. 100 points

Harlan Estate Napa Valley 2013

This is really sensational. Such precision and focus, with glorious aromas of tar, graphite, blackcurrant and blackberry. A full body, very tight and reserved. Phenomenal tannic structure that is supple and glorious. This new classicism makes me speechless. 100 per cent pleasure. Drinkable but built for ageing. 100 points

Dana Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Helms Vineyard 2013

Unique aromas of citrus such as tangerine and orange with plum, black cherry and blackcurrant. Lemon rind. Full body, ultra-fine tannins that give the wine a precise and focused finish that lasts for minutes. It really is laser-guided. This redefines the greatness of Napa Valley wine and California. 282 cases made. 100 points

Screaming Eagle Napa Valley Oakville 2013

Breathtaking aromas of blueberry, wet earth, black truffle, vine bark and lavender undertones. A full body yet tight and compressed, with fabulous savoury and dark fruit flavours. Lasts for minutes on the finish. The classicism in this wine is second to none. Incredible subtlety. Lovely austerity. Beauty in simplicity. Glorious to taste, yet a wine for decades ahead. Only 800 cases made. 100 points

Bond Napa Valley Pluribus 2013

Dark wet earth, dark fruits such as blackberry, and black liquorice. Smoky. This young, full-bodied red takes off and shows incredible length and depth. Chewy yet fresh and intense. Goes on for minutes. What a mouth-feel. 99 points

Topics

james suckling red wine Napa Valley new world wine

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