Mayacamas Vineyards is one of the oldest and most historically significant wine estates in Napa Valley. Its stone winery, constructed in 1889 and still in use today, sits at elevations of 1,800 to 2,200 feet on the rugged slopes of Mt. Veeder, a sub-AVA whose extreme terrain and poor volcanic soils produce Cabernets of a distinctly mountain character: tight, structured and built for long ageing. The Schottenstein family acquired the estate in 2017, engaging consulting winemaker Andy Erickson.

The estate farms 50 acres of vines organically on Mt. Veeder, where cool temperatures and a long growing season produce naturally high acidity and concentrated tannins. Winemaking remains deliberately old-fashioned: the Cabernet spends 20 months in large-format foudres before a further 14 months in neutral French barriques, with no new oak involved. The 2019 vintage produced a wine of unusual richness for this normally austere estate, reflecting the warmth and generosity of the season.

Mayacamas carries the rare distinction of being consistently cited in discussions of California’s most historic and collectable Cabernets alongside names such as Ridge Monte Bello and Philip Togni. The 2015 vintage ranked second in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 of 2019, providing considerable momentum for the estate under its new ownership. The 2019 earned 97 points from Vinous and 96 from Wine Spectator, the highest scores in a decade for a property whose wines reward extraordinary patience.

Dark garnet with complex aromas of incense, tobacco, licorice, dried herbs and wild mountain blueberry, underpinned by iron-laced minerality. A powerful, full-bodied palate of dark fruit, mocha and cassis is carried by bright acidity and firm, polished tannins. Impressively structured for long-term cellaring; best from 2026 through 2045.

A pretty rich, bombastic wine, especially for Mayacamas. A blast of dark fruit, incense, tobacco, licorice, spice and mocha hits the palate. An unusually flamboyant wine with plenty of richness; the opulence of the vintage comes through loud and clear.  — Vinous

Loaded with character and energy, with heavy notes of zesty sweet bay leaf and sassafras infusing a core of steeped red currant and mulberry fruit, carried by bright acidity and iron-laced tannins. Old-school in character, with a long life ahead.  — Wine Spectator