Forman 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Californien, Napa Valley

97 Point - Vinous

"A totally dazzling wine, Ric Forman's 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon is easily one of the wines of the vintage. Today, the 2013 is dense, powerful and explosive, with fabulous energy and tons of sheer intensity. Graphite, smoke, tobacco and layers of dark-fleshed fruit all open up in the glass."

This is the first vintage to incorporate a dollop of Malbec. The 2013 has just been bottled. I will not be surprised at all if it merits a higher rating at some point in the future. Even better from bottle than it was from barrel, Ric Forman's 2013 is a super-classic, old-school Napa Cabernet to treasure for the next three decades. Best of all, Forman's Cabernet is probably the single greatest value in Napa Valley Cabernet. There are few winemakers in Napa Valley who can match Ric Forman's enviable track record. My only regret is that Forman makes only one Chardonnay and one Cabernet Sauvignon, as my tastings at the estate tend to be short. At their best, these are some of the most compelling wines being made in the US today. Forman blocks the malo on his Chardonnay, a style he made famous decades ago, which results in unusually steely, vibrant wines by California standards. Forman's Cabernets are the stuff of legends and are capable of aging 30-40 years. Quite remarkably, these wines remain exceptionally well priced considering their quality