Altamura Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 750ml

Altamura's estate is in Wooden Valley, about five miles east of the city of Napa over the Vaca range, inside the Napa Valley appellation. At around 1,000 feet, it runs several degrees cooler than the valley floor.

Frank Altamura, formerly of Caymus, and his wife Karen founded the winery in 1985 and made their first Cabernet in 1986. The vines grow in heavy clay, mostly dry-farmed. The wine is always 100% varietal, aged only in French oak, and released late. The 2018 is all estate Cabernet Sauvignon, aged more than two years in barrel, 70% new. It's 14.8% alcohol.

Jeb Dunnuck described a charming, sweetly fruited wine with red currant, darker berries, tobacco leaf and loamy earth.

For a small, family estate off the beaten path, buy this. For a bigger name from the valley floor, see Groth Reserve.

Dunnuck gave it 10 to 12 years or more. Decant it for an hour and serve with steak.

See more Napa Valley wine, or browse all our Cabernet Sauvignon. Pick it up at our Brooklyn store or get same-day delivery in Brooklyn, Manhattan & Queens.