I think the 14s are largely ready to drink. I opened several this year and found them in good spots.
I will get into some 15s next year and go backwards to try a few more 12s that I held.
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14’s are drinking very nicely now. 13’s I amnot sure about. Definitely need more time but there are some surprising gloppy one that I have tried…I kimd of wonder if the over-blown style was still occurring. 15’s more approachable than 13 but I think need time. I like 16- generally seem to have good elegance, making for early drinking, but also not really ready. My tries of 18 vs 19: so far have liked 18 better, better balanced maybe? But 19 seems to have more concentration.
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My $.02 here. For the earlier vintages of the 2000’s, the 2001 and 2002 are my favorites. For more recent vintages, I really like the 2010 vintage, especially for the Howell Mountain wines, and 2013. The 2013’s are very muscular and age-worthy. I think that the 2013 Monte Bello is exceptional. I also really like the 2016’s that I have tasted. I don’t have a lot of experience with more recent vintages, but had a 2019 Dunn Howell Mountain earlier this year at a tasting and was shocked at how open and plush it was, while also having the structure to age.
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Read this yesterday and let’s just say I definitely disagree with the list.
Very few speciality producers or hard-to-find gems.
Way too many “popular” and more mainstream producers.
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At a wine event six months ago I asked that very same question to four of the very best winemakers based in Sonoma County. Most of the wine they make comes from vineyards in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties but there are significant amount of grapes coming from the Sierra Foothills, San Benito County-Monterey and the Delta area. They make the standards like Chard and Pinot but also make zin, cab, Italian varieties, syrah, vermentino, chenin blanc etc. etc.
Al four said without hesitation that 2018 was the best vintage for them without question. All also said the moderate growing season allowed them to literally pick “whenever they wanted”.
One even said that if you could not make great wine, not good or even very good wine in 2018, you should give up being a winemaker and do something else.
From what I have tasted, I would agree.
Tom
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Why does that mean it’s wrong?
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Refreshing to see a sub-$200 wine make the top 3. The usual suspects in spot 1 and 2 tho (and most of the rest). Opus 4th place? 
Only 1 13’ vintage on this list? Seems flawed
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Sorry but I should add that the question I asked was “Best Vintage For Them” not Best Cab. vintage. Everything else is the same.
Tom
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[quote=“Adam_Frisch, post:28, topic:329145, full:true”] Opus 4th place?
[/quote]
Not getting that…
I wouldn’t read too much into the vintage selection on these wines, which seems to be both affected by recency bias (SO many 2021s) and a bit scattered elsewhere. I have no complaints with The Bard being in here but I’d pick 2018 over 2021 any day. Likewise with the Corison - I had the 2020 a couple months ago and thought it outstanding (and not a hint of smoke taint, I might add), but I doubt it’s the best vintage of that wine this century.
For Napa most vintages are pretty good. 11 and 20 maybe not so great although if you picked before the fires in 20 maybe ok. 13 and 18 kind of stand out. 17 a bit on the weak side. 21 seems very strong.
We do enjoy talking about and critiquing lists, don’t we? I used to care a lot more about WOTY and other such lists, but nowadays they’re just something to peruse and fill a little time.
I have no qualms about any wine on this list. Many specific ones that I haven’t tasted, but certainly know the wineries and can see why they’re on a list.
I will also say that I have had the ‘13 Opus twice, and it is indeed a special bottle of wine.
Agree that the 13 Opus is special. Have only tried a few other Opus vintages, but its signficantly better than those others.
– For my taste, 2016 is the best with 2013 next and getting better each day.
– 2018 needs more time.
– 2010 is also a very good vintage that is drinking well.
– I think 2011 is a fantastic vintage for good producers and is as misjudged as 2012 was thought to be well regarded upon release.
– I think in general the 2007s have underperformed with time.
– Have not had enough of the early 00s to have an opinion, but am going to seek out some 2001s based on this thread.
Some 15s ive had have been open for business
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Just curious for what producers and for what vintages do you prefer 20111??
Chateau Montelena! Traditionally Montelena does very well in tough vintages (1998 being a shining example)
If you’re a fan of lean, herbal, mountain cabs, I’ve found 2011 was much better for those non-ripe styled wines than the fruit-forward styled ones. Ex: Smith Madrone, Togni, Mount Eden(I know, SCM not Napa) all made decent wines in 2011 with much less of a difference relative to other years.
I’m going to go out on a limb here and guess many AFWE cab drinkers here (I mean that affectionately!) would in general prefer the leaner profile of the 2011’s to just about any of the other riper vintages of the same wine; assuming the winemakers didn’t do something crazy (mega purple, etc) to compensate for their thinner 2011’s.
side note- Saxum in Paso Robles also made stupendous wines in 2011, imo. Not lean or herbal, but wonderfully nuanced and approachable at a younger age than most Saxums.
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Spottswoode is great in 2011
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