The 2019 Vineyard 29 Estate Ceanda Cabernet Sauvignon is a noteworthy example of Napa Valley winemaking, showcasing the region's signature depth and complexity. This wine is crafted from a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, and small portions of Petit Verdot and Merlot. It hails from the St. Helena area within California's North Coast, and it is aged for 20 months in 75% new oak barrels, contributing to its rich and layered profile.
Jeb Dunnuck awarded this wine a high score of 95, praising its "pure, layered, balanced, and full-bodied style" and highlighting "textbook notes of darker currants, tobacco leaf, new leather, and chocolate." Dunnuck also noted the wine's remarkable purity of fruit and recommended enjoying it over the next 15-20 years. The production is limited to 947 cases, indicating its exclusivity and artisanal quality.
Wine Enthusiast also gave this wine a score of 95, with reviewer Jim Gordon describing it as a "powerful wine destined for a long life and increasing complexity." Gordon emphasized the deep flavors of black cherries, blueberries, and blackberries, complemented by wood smoke, cinnamon, and espresso notes. He also pointed out the wine's full, fine-grained tannins and suggested it would be best enjoyed starting in 2028.
Vinous' Antonio Galloni rated the wine slightly lower at 94 but still offered high praise. Galloni highlighted the blend's components, particularly the savory notes from Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, which add character to the wine. He described the 2019 Ceanda as "a gorgeous wine that offers plenty of richness and intensity but in a more approachable style than the flagships."
Overall, the 2019 Vineyard 29 Estate Ceanda Cabernet Sauvignon is a robust, well-structured wine with a promising future. It combines the intensity and depth expected of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with a balanced and layered complexity that will appeal to both seasoned collectors and those new to fine wine.