TN: 2018 Corison Cabernet Sauvignon Sunbasket Vineyard (USA, California, Napa Valley)

WINE TALK
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  • 2018 Corison Cabernet Sauvignon Sunbasket Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley (8/22/2025)
    I had been wanting a “treat” wine for a while, and finally just broke down and grabbed a bottle of this. Opened about an hour before dinner, and the small sample pour was enough to know it was going to be a very enjoyable bottle. This is not Napa Cabernet Sauvignon modeled on 1997. This is Napa Cabernet Sauvignon modeled on 1974, projected through the lens of optimized organic farming, and winemaking that allows the soil and the grape to show their best traits. The benchland soils that underlie all the Corison Cabernets are obvious here. There is no unnecessary gloss or artifice. There is power, as it is Cabernet Sauvignon. There’s also elegance, as there is a fine balance to all of the parts. It’s like a fine watch where the mechanism is fully visible, yet the focus is on the finely made hands that tell the time.
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Just had the last glass as a Saturday afternoon treat. My gosh this wine is so good. Structured to be a long ager too.

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Love Cathy’s wines. Just picked up a case at auction with the ‘18 Kronos.

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I have way too much wine. But i should try corison again. Even if its just a bottle or 2.

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Corison, Matthiasson, and Enfield are my three favorite current Cabernet producers.

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I’ve had a couple bottles of Matthiasson Phoenix recently and was pretty blown away. So good!

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@David_Bu3ker how does the sun basket compare to the Kronos?

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Oh gosh. I don’t think I have enough experience with either to say more than they are equivalent quality.

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Both are excellent, but I lean toward Kronos. It has a little more of that power with elegance character, but you really can’t go wrong with any of Cathy’s wines. The Cab Franc (Helios label) is really special too.

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Big fan of Corison. Surprised it doesn’t get more love on this board. Seems to fly under the radar.

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Let’s keep it that way. They could easily demand $300+ for the single vineyards.

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Not to mention $150 for the Napa.

The current price is a Napa Valley bargain.

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What’s the drinking window for these?

Have been interested for a while, as I understand it’s a slightly older school house style.

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I just opened a 1996 Napa valley a few months back and that wine was stunning. Not over the hill in the least, and I’d say with the structure, it could go another 10 years without signs of fading. Awesome wine.

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Now until forever.

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