The Best Napa Valley Wines

The Best Wines from Napa Valley

Declared in 1981 as the first American viticultural area in California, Napa Valley has long been renowned for the quality of its wines. Although relatively small—it spans only 30 miles—the valley is nevertheless surprisingly diverse, with more than 100 different soil variations. There’s also intense variation in Napa Valley’s climate; during the summer, there can be as much as a 10-15-degree Fahrenheit difference across the valley’s expanse.

Napa Valley’s biggest claim to fame is the fact that both red and white wines from the region outperformed French wines in blind tastings during the 1976 Judgement of Paris. Although the region is best known for the cabernet grape and the bold reds it produces, the region is actually home to more than three dozen different varieties. The region is also home to both well-storied wineries and phenomenal boutique vintners.

Given Napa Valley’s pedigree, it should come as no surprise that it’s home to some absolutely phenomenal wines. Today, we’re going to talk about a few of the wine varieties the region is known for and identify the absolute best options for each one.

The Best Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Bold, thick, and full-bodied, cabernet sauvignon is the most popular, most widely known red wine in the world. Cabernet sauvignon’s most common flavors include black cherry, blackberry, and blackcurrant. It may also contain notes of bell pepper, tobacco, spice, wood, and vanilla.

Cabernet sauvignon tends to be dry, with medium-to-high tannins and high acidity. It’s also known for aging well, and can be cellared for up to a decade if properly stored. Napa Valley’s best cabernet sauvignon wines include:

• Bond Quella ($800). Although it has a frankly jaw-dropping price tag, you get what you pay for. With a luxurious texture, incredible balance, and unique flavor, this 2016 vintage is unforgettable. Quella is defined by an ethereal levity coupled with an agility and poise on the palate. Like a ballerina, the wine exhibits a light grace that belies its underlying energy and strength.
• Louis M. Martini ($36). Don’t worry if Scarecrow is just a bit out of your price range—this wine is proof that you don’t need to splurge if you want something delicious. Savory and flavorful, this wine is a must-try.

The Best Napa Valley Merlot

Another well-known red, merlot wine runs the gamut from boring and excessively oaky to marvelously delicious and complex. A good merlot has a lot in common with cabernet sauvignon flavor-wise, and the two are often mistaken for one another. Merlot is dry, with a medium-full body, medium-to-high tannins, and medium acidity.

The wine typically contains hints of cherry and plum with notes of chocolate. Like cabernet sauvignon, it ages well. Napa Valley’s best merlot wines include:

• La Jota Vineyard Co. Howell Mountain ($100). With intense red fruit flavors and high acidity, this wine combines red fruit with toasted oak, dried herb, and sage. Its palate is delicious and dense, but the 2017 vintage is likely best enjoyed at some point in 2027.
• Markham Napa Valley Merlot ($28). This 2018 vintage features an incredibly unique flavor combination of black plum and fig, combined with toasted oak from aging. Not only is it delicious, but it also won’t break the bank.

The Best Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc

In many ways, sauvignon blanc is to white wine what cabernet sauvignon is to red. Crisp and refreshing, this wine typically features a bouquet of unique herbal flavors blended with gooseberry, grapefruit, lime, passionfruit, peach, and honeydew. Sauvignon blanc is highly acidic, with a medium-light body and no tannins.

Depending on the climate in which the wine is produced, sauvignon blanc may tend more toward either grassy or fruity flavors, and may be either dry or very sweet. Sauvignon blanc produced in Napa Valley may be made in either variety. Napa Valley’s best sauvignon blanc wines include:

• Lail Vineyards Blueprint Sauvignon Blanc ($42). This wine is described as both bright and tangy, with a slightly nutty aroma. Although it’s delicious enough to drink right away, it may well be worth your time to age it for five years or so and see how it transforms.
• Cliff Lede ($35). Don’t let the relatively low price fool you—this 2021 vintage is equal parts light and elegant. It contains hints of lemon meringue, tangerine, melon, nectarine and apple.

In conclusion

Napa Valley is a renowned wine region that has consistently produced high-quality wines for many years. With a diverse range of soil types and microclimates, the region is able to produce over three dozen different wine varieties, including some of the best cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and sauvignon blanc wines in the world. While some of the wines mentioned in this article may have a steep price tag, many more affordable options are available for those who want to experience the best of what Napa Valley has to offer. Whether you’re a seasoned wine connoisseur or just beginning to explore the world of wine, Napa Valley is a region that should not be missed.