When creating our Top 10 list, we usually focus on great value wines under $100. However, this year, with so many outstanding selections, I decided to create a premium list as a follow-up to our 2024 Top Ten. From wine festivals and elegant dinners to the premium Beyond the Cellar showcase at Torrey Pines and my Napa Valley trip, I’m sharing eight exceptional wines, with Frank contributing two more. These are outstanding wines perfect for special occasions.
• Antinori Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2021. $300.
Proficio pays homage to the Antinori family motto, “Te Duce Proficio,” meaning “Following your guide, I flourish,” and serves as Piero Antinori’s legacy wine. Crafted primarily from cabernet sauvignon with a touch of cab franc, the wine offers elevated aromatics, complexity and fresh acidity. First produced in 2019, it embodies decades of innovation on Atlas Peak, yielding a structured yet elegant wine with concentrated flavors and a refined, mountain-grown character. Antinorinapavalley.com.
• Chappellet Prichard Hill Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2021. $300.
Founded by Molly and Donn Chappellet in 1967, Chappellet is now led by the second generation, continuing their father’s vision on Pritchard Hill. The 2021 Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, their flagship wine, is a Bordeaux-inspired blend (95% cabernet sauvignon, 5% petit verdot) aged 22 months in new French oak. This beauty had black currant, cassis and blackberry notes with hints of cedar, tobacco and dark chocolate, showcasing robust tannins and a polished, elegant finish. Chappellet.com.
• Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2016. $250.
The 2016 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon exemplifies the winery’s unwavering dedication to its unique vision and terroir. Crafted from 99% cabernet sauvignon and 1% cabernet franc, this Napa Valley gem is aged 22 months in 100% French oak (40% new). The nose is floral and opulent, with Bing cherry, raspberry, cocoa and cedar notes. On the palate, blackberry and plum with velvety tannins and bright acidity finish with baking spice, coffee bean and star anise. Montelena.com.
• Daou Patrimony Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles 2020. $300.
Patrimony, the exclusive brand and legacy of the Daou brothers, represents the pinnacle of their winemaking journey on DAOU Mountain in Paso Robles. The 2020 Patrimony Cabernet Sauvignon, crafted entirely from free-run juice, showcases Adelaida District’s limestone-rich soils. Aromas of cassis, blueberry and currants meld with tobacco, chocolate and toasted spices. The full-bodied palate delivers vibrant acidity, velvety tannins and a long finish of blackberry jam, mocha and herbaceous fennel and thyme. Patrimonyestate.com.
• Hall Wines Montagna Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2019. $275.
The 2019 Hall Montagna Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from Pritchard Hill captures the essence of Napa Valley Mountain vineyards. Deep garnet-purple, it offers aromas of blackcurrants, boysenberries, plums and violets, with hints of Indian spices and espresso. Full-bodied and concentrated, it balances juicy black fruits with fine tannins and vibrant freshness. Aged in 100% new Taransaud barrels, notes of chocolate and cedar add depth, leading to a long, polished finish with excellent aging potential. Hallwines.com.
• Ramey Wine Cellars Pedregal Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville 2017. $200.
The 2017 Ramey Pedregal Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from a prestigious 3-acre site in Oakville, is a master class in complexity and power. A blend of 80% cabernet sauvignon and 20% petit verdot, this full-bodied wine offers layered notes of ripe blackberry, blueberry, red currant and hints of leather, cedar and menthol. Aged 24 months in new French oak, its firm tannins and rocky texture promise elegance and depth, best enjoyed from 2026–2036. Rameywine.com.
• Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cask 23 Napa Valley 2021. $325.
The 2021 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars CASK 23 is a Napa Valley masterpiece, blending fruit from the historic S.L.V. and FAY vineyards. This 100% cabernet sauvignon showcases inviting aromas of currants, blueberry and black cherry, with hints of tobacco and spice. Aged 21 months in new French oak, the wine delivers a rich mid-palate of dark chocolate, anise and black fruits, finishing with refined tannins. A benchmark Napa vintage, it earned a perfect 100 points from Jeb Dunnuck. Stagsleapwinecellars.com.
• ZD Abacus XXVI 26th Bottling (1992-2023) Napa Valley. $800.
ZD Wines’ Abacus XXVI is a Napa Valley marvel and a testament to the deLeuze family’s dedication to world-class winemaking since 1969. This multi-vintage cabernet sauvignon blends 32 reserve vintages (1992-2023) into a single, harmonious wine. Abacus captures the depth and complexity of well-aged wine, infused with vibrant fruit and youthful intensity. Aged three years in barrel using a solera method, it delivers layers of dark berries, cassis and warm spices with an impeccably balanced finish. Zdwines.com.
Frank’s Gems
• Staglin Family Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford 2018 $277.
Since 1985, distinguished, knowledgeable wine lovers have been drawn to this family-owned organically farmed winery from the Rutherford Bench of Napa Valley. The 2018 Staglin Cabernet is silky and detailed and embodies a balance of old-world charm and modern precision. Its elegant delicate structure exudes pure class. StaglinFamily.com.
• Antinori Tignanello Toscana Italy 2021. $159.
The 2021 vintage Tignanello is considered to be the most acclaimed of the classic vintages since its inaugural year in 1970. The 2021 version is ruby red with intense purple hues and will be remembered for a vintage that promises power and finesse from the winemaker master himself, Piero Antinori. He was the first to coin the term “Super Tuscan” for wines that initiated the Tuscan blends of sangiovese, cabernet sauvignon and sab franc. Antinori.it/en.
These wines represent some of the finest selections from Napa Valley, Paso Robles and beyond. From iconic brands to trailblazing vintages, they are a testament to the artistry and passion of winemaking. Whether for a special occasion or to add to your cellar, these premium wines are sure to impress.
Wine Bytes
• Vittorio’s Italian Trattoria is hosting a Rombauer Vineyards Wine Dinner on Thu Jan. 30 at 6:30 p.m. The three-course dinner + dessert by Executive Chef Angelo Gijon features flat iron steak with baby carrots and yellow squash paired with 2022 Rombauer California Zinfandel as the main course. Cost is $85 per person+tax/tip. RSVP at 858-538-5884.
• San Diego Restaurant Week runs Jan. 26 to Feb. 2, showcasing over 100 restaurants from Oceanside to Chula Vista. Enjoy multi-course menus starting at $30, perfect for scoring a deal, planning a dining adventure or discovering new favorites. Learn more at sandiegorestaurantweek.com.
Rico Cassoni is executive producer for Taste of Wine and Food. He and founder/advisor Frank Mangio, a renowned wine connoisseur certified by Wine Spectator, are two of the leading reviewers on the web. Reach them at [email protected].
