Vineyard 29’s 2011 “29 Estate” Cabernet Sauvignon is a small-estate Napa Valley red from St. Helena, built around a compact home vineyard first planted in 1989. The property is noted for rocky, gravelly soils and a focus on low-yield Cabernet Sauvignon selections; the flagship bottling is intended as a direct expression of that site. In 2011—a notably cooler, more restrained Napa vintage—this wine stands out for combining vintage character with a fuller, more polished feel than many peers. Reported alcohol is about 13% ABV, modest by modern Napa Cabernet standards.

The blend is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, with a small supporting role for Petit Verdot. Antonio Galloni (Vinous) specifies it as “96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot,” and he also notes that the wine “impresses for its creamy, generous personality, something that is quite rare in this vintage.” That generosity shows up in a flavor profile that leans both ripe and savory, aligning with the estate’s St. Helena fruit while still speaking to 2011’s cooler tones.

Galloni’s tasting note is detailed and emphatic, calling out “sweet tobacco, cinnamon, savory herbs, menthol, licorice and plums” and describing a palate where those elements “wrap around the palate in an explosive wine loaded with depth and volume.” While the language is vivid, the underlying message is straightforward: this is a Cabernet with real concentration and breadth, but not at the expense of clarity. Galloni also highlights “the balance of fruit intensity with the more savory notes typical of the year,” concluding that it “makes for a wonderfully expressive Cabernet Sauvignon.”

The critical reception here is excellent. Vinous awards the wine 94 points, positioning the 2011 29 Estate as a strong performer in a challenging vintage and a compelling option for drinkers who want Napa Cabernet with structure, depth, and a more measured alcohol profile.