2018 Bella Oaks Proprietary Red | Rutherford, Napa Valley California 750ml

Bella Oaks Proprietary Red Wine represents for the very first time the distinction of this historic site matched with the exacting standards of estate winemaking. Building upon a rich history 50 years in the making, this singular wine is the culmination of our decade of stewardship, revitalization, and discovery in this storied place. | Bella Oaks

A stunning wine from the heritage Napa site on the Rutherford Bench - elegance and restraint from a heavily cropped vintage at the estate - aromatics of mocha, savoury dried herbs, and crushed red and black berry fruits. The palate signals restraint and elegance over opulence. Fresh red fruits introduce crushed stone, along with notes of garrigue and pencil lead. Beautiful. | 97 Clive Pursehouse for Decanter

The slow, steady progression of the legendary 2018 growing season shines through in this powerful but keenly sculpted wine. Piercing black cherry and plum flavours gain in brooding richness and peppery edge from the addition of 12% Petit Verdot and 8% Cabernet Franc, accented by burnt sugar, sage and mocha. Polished tannins and a fresh vein of acidity lend finesse and verve to the finish. Just approaching peak now, it should evolve beautifully for another decade and hold further still. | 97 Anna Lee C. Iijima for Decanter

...a remarkably complex, elegant wine that has so much to love. Cassis, black cherries, hints of black olive, chocolate, and ripe tobacco all define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with a concentrated, multi-dimensional character offering beautiful tannins and a great finish. Coming from a tiny site in Rutherford (east of Staglin) that was made famous by Joe Heitz's single vineyard releases, this world-class beauty is based on 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc that was aged in 70% new oak... Nigel Kinsman has been the winemaker here starting in 2017. | 98 Jeb Dunnuck for jebdunnuck.com