Etude Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2018 |
96 points James Suckling
Loads of blackberry, currant and dark-berry aromas follow through to a full body with chewy tannins and a long ,fine finish. This is very attractive, balanced and delicious now, but will gain from two or three years of cellaring. Try after 2024. (12/2021)
94 points Jeb Dunnuck
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is up-front and approachable, with lush blackberry and cassis fruit as well as tobacco and some graphite notes. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum on the palate, it has velvety yet certainly present tannins, plenty of baby fat, terrific overall balance, and a great finish. Displaying more floral and violet notes with time in the glass, I suspect this beautiful, elegant 2018 will have two decades of longevity. (5/2022)
93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Etude's blended 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley skews toward bench-land vineyards from Rutherford and further south (Oakville, Coombsville). The nose features a gently lifted quality, blackberries and cassis underscored by dark chocolate. Full-bodied and sturdy, framed by firm tannins, this is not a wimpy, generic blend but a rich wine with some aging potential, finishing velvety and long. (JC) (5/2022)
92 points Vinous
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is bright and full of energy. Dark cherry, chocolate, licorice, cloves and plum all race out of the glass. A wine of vibrancy and depth, the Napa Valley Cabernet is a terrific introduction to the Etude wines. The 2018 is beautifully done from start to finish. (AG) (10/2021)
92 points Wine Spectator
A solid, direct Cab, with a core of cassis and dark cherry compote flavors laced liberally with singed cedar and vanilla. Ends with bittersweet cocoa and tobacco notes through the finish. (JM, Web-2022)