About the product
Antica Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is a structured and expressive red wine sourced from high-elevation vineyards in the Atlas Peak region of Napa Valley. The elevated terroir contributes to its depth, intensity, and refined balance.
On the nose, it reveals aromas of dark berries, cassis, and black cherry, layered with notes of graphite, cedar, and subtle spice. The palate is rich and full-bodied, offering concentrated flavors of blackberry and plum, complemented by hints of cocoa, tobacco, and well-integrated oak.
Firm yet polished tannins provide structure, while balanced acidity adds freshness and lift. The finish is long and elegant, with lingering dark fruit and savory undertones.
Crafted for both immediate enjoyment and aging potential, this Cabernet Sauvignon pairs beautifully with red meats, grilled dishes, and aged cheeses.
Tasting Profile & Food Pairings
Taste Notes
The 2018 vintage is noted for its "vibrant energy" and a seamless, silky texture that has fully integrated over the last eight years.
- Nose Sophisticated and lifted. It opens with crushed blueberries and black raspberries, followed by classic mountain aromatics: dried mint, violet petals, and pencil lead. There is a savory hint of green tobacco and Asian spices.
- Palate Medium-to-full-bodied and remarkably "fresh." You will find layers of ripe blackcurrants and black cherry preserves, transitioning into a mineral-driven mid-palate of iron ore and graphite. The tannins are "grainy" and firm but have turned velvety with age.
- Finish Long and refreshing. It leaves a lingering trail of cedar, mocha, and a distinct minty lift that cleanses the palate.
Food Pairings
The wine’s "Atlas Peak" acidity and savory, herbal undertones make it a world-class companion for rich, herb-forward meats.
- Savory Prime Rib with a Rosemary and Garlic Crust. The savory juices of the beef are a perfect textural match for the wine's "Mountain Select" tannins.
- Main Lamb Chops with a Mint Chimichurri. The dried mint and herbal notes in the Cabernet provide a direct "flavor bridge" to the chimichurri.
- Cheese Aged Beemster or Mimolette. The salty, crystalline crunch of these hard cheeses highlights the wine's mineral and graphite notes.
- Sweet Dark Chocolate Tart with Sea Salt. The bitterness of the cocoa pulls out the blackcurrant fruit, while the salt amplifies the wine's inherent minerality.
About the brand
Antica is a contraction of Antinori and California. The estate is the Napa outpost of the legendary Marchese Piero Antinori, whose family has been making wine in Tuscany for 26 generations (famously behind Tignanello and Solaia). Since acquiring the property in 1993, the Antinori family has focused on bringing an "Old World" sensibility to the rugged Atlas Peak terrain. In 2026, Antica is recognized as a leader in the "High-Elevation Cabernet" movement, prized for making wines that favor structural acidity and "stony" minerality over the high-alcohol "jamminess" often found on the valley floor.
