Luczy’s 30: top Napa Cabernet 2018s
1 WINE OF THE VINTAGE TOP PRODUCER Corison, Kronos Vineyard, St Helena 2018 97
Corison’s Kronos Vineyard, planted in 1971, is one of the world’s great Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards, and an anomaly in the modern Napa Valley landscape. The yields are extremely low, and just 6,000 bottles were made. Radiant aromas of blue and purple fruits, graphite and dates. The texture is pure velvet, seamlessly laced with subtle tobacco and fennel. A long, powdery finish wraps up this definitive, understated and ageworthy valley-floor Cabernet. Corison’s Sunbasket Vineyard Cabernet scored 95pts and the Estate St Helena Cabernet 94pts. Drink 2026-2054 Alcohol 13.6%
2 WINE OF THE VINTAGE TOP PRODUCER Kapcsándy, Grand Vin State Lane Vineyard, Yountville 2018 97
Exceptional, with enthalling aromas of fresh flowers, bath soap, orchard blossoms and raspberry sorbet. Its texture has a silky, weightless quality before delivering sumptuous, refined tannins and a stunning finish. Seductive in style; brings to mind no other Napa Valley Cabernet. Definitive, unique, fantastic. The Estate Cuvée scored 94pts. Drink 2026-2052 Alc 13.9%
TOP PRODUCER Larkmead, Solari 2018 97
Dan Petroski’s Larkmead flagship is remarkable in 2018. From two parcels at the southern border of Calistoga, bordering St Helena, soils a combination of Cortina gravel and Pleasanton clay. A major level up in every dimension
