2019 Rafael Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 3 Liter Oak Knoll

Our newest vineyard designated Cabernet, Rafael Vineyard was planted in the early 1980's by the Rafael family on rolling hills above Dry Creek on the west side of Napa.  Farmed by the same family every since, these mature vines make stout, dark and intense wines.  Similar in style to the wines made from Sleeping Lady Vineyard, the wines from Rafael are incredibly age-worthy and will benefit those with patience.  Luckily, we have done some of the aging for you with this release of the 2019 vintage.

97 Points Jeb Dunnuck

"The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Rafael Vineyard Upper Block comes from a site off Dry Creek Road in the Oak Knoll District, on the west side of the Valley. Full-bodied, rich, and concentrated, it’s not as opulent as the Lewelling Vineyard (The Grove) and has a beautiful, balanced, silky style. The tannins are spot on, I love its purity of fruit, and it’s going to evolve gracefully for two decades. This release is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 22 months in 50% new French oak." 3-10-22    www.jebdunnuck.com

97 Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"While Zeitgeist's other single-vineyard Cabs are $175, pricing was still undecided for the micro-production (50 cases) of the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Rafael Vineyard, which comes from a site at the base of Mount Veeder in the Oak Knoll District. One of the two barrels used was new, but the oak impact is minimal, submerged under a tidal wave of black cherries, tinged with delicate suggestions of sage and bay leaf. Full-bodied, this bottling is denser and more concentrated than the Sleeping Lady, yet it's still balanced, with a rich, velvety and long, long finish.

Mark Porembski and Jennifer Williams are Zeitgeist, a husband-and-wife winemaking team sourcing fruit from some terrific vineyards, including the likes of Oakville Station and Sleeping Lady, among others. Statistically, there is a lot of new oak employed, but to this reviewer, the wines come across as nicely balanced, not too oaky, not too tannic, but concentrated, rich and remarkably seductive."  Joe Czerwinski

Published: May 31, 2022