A Beautifully Ripe Vintage
2019 Touché Cabernet Sauvignon - Napa Valley
99 points (Steve Heimoff)
"There’s something about the scent of high-quality Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon aged in new oak that’s as intoxicating as anything in the world of wine. Even more pleasurable is when the flavors and texture surpass the aroma. This 100% Cabernet blend, made from grapes grown in Diamond Mountain, Atlas Peak and Oak Knoll, is stunningly delicious. True, the tannins are on the fierce side. But they don’t prevent immediate pleasure because they’re as soft and luxurious as fur. Such an intensity of blackberries, currants and blueberries, while the oak influence is perfectly balanced. This Cab represents mastery of the arts of blending and barrel selection. The complexity is enormous. Every sip reveals exciting new layers. The wine is guaranteed to develop in the bottle for a long time." - Steve Heimoff
96 points (The Wine Independent)
"The 2019 En Garde Touché Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon has 50 % from Diamond Mountain, 35% from Atlas Peak, and 15% from Oak Knoll. It was aged in 100% Darnajou French oak barrels for 18 months. It sports a deep garnet-purple color and charges out of the glass with vibrant notes of redcurrant jelly, black raspberries, and warm plums, followed by suggestions of pencil shavings, menthol, and unsmoked cigars. The medium to full-bodied palate is taut with muscular black and red berry layers, supported by ripe, firm, grainy tannins and impressive tension, finishing long and energetic." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown
96 points (SIFF Wine Competition)
"Classic Cabernet Sauvignon offering with deep rich and powerful flavors guided by it's silky texture." - Christopher Sawyer
95 points (OwenBargreen.com)
"The 2019 ‘Touche Reserve’ comes from all three vineyard sites that En Garde sources from. This might not be the most concentrated ‘Reserve’ Cabernet you will find in Napa — yet everything is absolutely singing in unison here. Espresso grounds, black currants, black tea and asian spices combine with hints of red rose water on the palate. Very complex, and showing good verve, this beauty will cellar well over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2023-2039" - Dr. Owen Bargreen
94+ points (Robert Parker Wine Advocate)
"Appreciably darker than the other En Garde 2019s included in this report, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Touche Reserve blends fruit from Diamond Mountain (50%), Atlas Peak (35%) and Oakville (15%). All Cabernet Sauvignon and aged 18 months in 100% new Darnajou cooperage, it offers up ripe notes of cassis and plum bolstered by red berries and herbal accents. The oak is in the background on the nose and on the silky-textured, medium to full-bodied palate, then shows through as hints of dry cedar on the long, concentrated finish. It should be the longest lived of the 2019 offerings from En Garde.." - Joe Czerwinski
2019 Le Bijou du Roi Cabernet Sauvignon - Diamond Mountain District
97 points (Steve Heimoff)
"The tannins offer a tight grip of dusty astringency, but the fruit is so ripe, so lush that this 100% Cab is immediately delicious. It’s the essence of mountain Cabernet: waves of blackcurrants and blackberry jam, with suggestions of mushu plum sauce, ripe, savory blueberries, cocoa and anisette liqueur. New French oak adds even richer notes of vanilla and buttered toast. The impression is of fabulous quality. So pure and delicious, so sweetly and softly elegant, you just can’t stop sipping. There are few places on Earth this Cabernet could come from other than Napa Valley. I suppose it will age for a long time." - Steve Heimoff
95 points (The Wine Independent)
"The 2019 En Garde Cabernet Sauvignon Le Bijou du Roi is 100% Clone 337 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Sori Bricco Vineyard on Diamond Mountain. Deep purple-black in color, it soars from the glass with energetic scents of crushed black and red currants, boysenberry preserves, and juicy black plums, leading to suggestions of cedar chest, rose oil, and Sichuan pepper. The medium to full-bodied palate is taut with vibrant red and black fruit layers, supported by fine-grained tannins and a refreshing backbone, finishing long with a mineral lift." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown
94 points (Robert Parker Wine Advocate)
"All Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 337 from the Sori Bricco Vineyard on Diamond Mountain, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Le Bijou du Roi saw 80% new Darnajou-made barrels for 18 months without being excessively marked by oak. It easily marries red berries with forest understory elements of bay leaf, then subtly underscores those with hints of menthol and cedar. Medium to full-bodied, it's concentrated but supple, silky enough to be approachable young, yet with sufficient softly dusty tannins to think it's capable of aging up to two decades." - Joe Czerwinski
94 points (OwenBargreen.com)
"The 100% varietal 2019 En Garde ‘Le Bijou du Roi’ Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from the Sori Bricco Vineyard. This shows great poise on the palate with milk chocolate covered espresso bean, creme de violette, tar and anise notes alongside brilliant stony undercurrents. Medium to full-bodied, this is already nicely evolved stuff that will cellar well for another fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2023-2039" - Dr. Owen Bargreen
94 points (SIFF Wine Competition)
"Sophisticated Cabernet Sauvignon with balanced flavors, attention to detail and a long elegant finish" - Christopher Sawyer
92 points (Wine Enthusiast Magazine)
"Concentrated fruit flavors match the impressively firm texture of this young and tightly wound wine that was aged in 80% new Darnajou French barrels. Delicious blueberries and black cherries are topped with light cedar and chocolate notes. Best from 2028–2035." - Jim Gordon
2019 Grand Vin - Diamond Mountain District
98 points (Steve Heimoff)
"Csaba returns to Diamond Mountain for this Right Bank-style wine, based on Merlot. I may be wrong, but I can’t remember an En Garde Bordeaux blend that didn’t contain Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine itself is stunning. The tannins are fierce, but so well-crafted and rounded that they’re as sweet as the fruit itself. Masses of cherry, red currant, cocoa, espresso, licorice and bacon flavors that are deep, delicious and complex, brightened by crisp acidity. Brilliant, compelling and ageworthy, as the Sori Bricco Vineyard always is. A dazzling masterpiece, capable of negotiating the next decade in a good cellar. Yet it’s so softly irresistible, it would be a magnificent partner now with steak. Nearly perfect." - Steve Heimoff
93+ points (The Wine Independent)
"A blend of 66% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petite Verdot, the 2019 En Garde Grand Vin has a deep purple-black color and evocative notes of wild blueberries, warm cassis, and kirsch, giving way to hints of pencil lead, violets, dark chocolate, and cinnamon toast. The medium to full-bodied palate is sleek and sophisticated, with seamless freshness and beautifully plush, rounded tannins supporting the black berry and baking spice layers, finishing with a lingering whisper of forest floor." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown
92 points (Robert Parker Wine Advocate)
"Roughly two-thirds Merlot, with the balance Cabernet Franc and just 5% Petit Verdot, the 2019 Grand Vin sees the least new oak of all En Garde's Napa bottlings, at just 30%. As a result, the fruit speaks loud here, with scents of cherries, raspberries and redcurrants, plus slightly herbal notes of sage and bay leaf. It's medium to full-bodied but soft and approachable, with a plump, silky texture on the palate and a gentle, lingering finish." - Joe Czerwinski
2019 Cabernet Sauvignon - Diamond Mountain
98 points, Best Cabernet Sauvignon (SIFF Wine Competition)
97 points
"A huge, rich, ripely concentrated Cab from En Garde, whose Diamond Mountain Cabs are so consistent. Like former vintages, it’s explosive in blackberries, blueberries, cassis, mocha and new oak, framed in sturdy mountain tannins that are supple enough to drink now but will easily age. Above and beyond the size of this Cab, which contains 2% Cabernet Franc, is the balance. The size is tempered by refreshing acidity and a minerally spine that stiffens the body. Those high altitude tannins are firm, but as soft and meltedly sweet as modern vinification can make them. A really beautiful Napa Cab that deserves a place alongside the best. " - Steve Heimoff
2019 Cabernet Sauvignon - Atlas Peak
95 points
"Super-ripe, big, thick, aromatic and juicy, a major league Cabernet that shows its Atlas Peak origins with flamboyant mountain concentration. The immediate mouthfeel is of gigantic fruit. Black currants, cassis, cherry kirsch, dark bitter chocolate and teriyaki beef spiciness, accented with lots of smoky new oak, provide for lushness of the style we’ve come to expect from En Garde. For all the sumptuous fruitiness, there’s a great burst of acidity that keeps things bright. This is a “Wow!” wine for drinking now and over the next decade." - Steve Heimoff
92 points (Wine Advocate)
"A new offering from En Garde, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Atlas Peak comes from the Hendrickson Vineyard. It's primarily Clones 7 and 8, with tiny proportions of Petit Verdot (1.5%) and Cabernet Franc (1%), all aged in 50% new Darnajou and François Frères for 18 months. Boasting scents of redcurrants and ripe cherries framed by smoky-toasty oak, it's nicely balanced and medium-bodied, with a silky texture and ample length on the finish." - Joe Czerwinski
92 points (OwenBargreen.com)
"Coming from the Hendrickson Vineyard, this wine also has a touch of Petit Verdot as well as Cabernet Franc blended in. This shows a great veil of tension once on the mouth with a silky mouthfeel. Concentrated dark cherry and black raspberry flavors combine with salty soils and stony undertones on the palate. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2023-2038" - Dr. Owen Bargreen
90 points (Wine Enthusiast Magazine)
"This young, tight and tannic wine wraps firm tannins around black and red cherries, cranberries and darkest chocolate for a tight expression at this stage that should soften and complexify with time. Worth revisiting in a few years and perhaps best from 2030." - Jim Gordon
2019 Cabernet Sauvignon - Oak Knoll
95 points (Steve Heimoff)
"As soon as I opened the bottle the aromas of black currants and cassis erupted, announcing a young, ripe and fancy Cabernet Sauvignon. This was confirmed in the mouth. Superbly flavored, with additional complexities of anisette and chocolate, freshly crushed white pepper, and the sweet, toasty notes of new oak. The tannins are thick, but they’re so softly sweet that the wine is delicious even at this young age. A wonderful, world-class Napa Valley red wine, offering endless waves of flavor through a long finish, and the alcohol offers bracing warmth. Ready to drink now and should develop for many years." - Steve Heimoff
93 points (OwenBargreen.com)
"This 2019 edition from the Oak Knoll region has just a dash of Petit Verdot blended in. Aged in a combination of French and Hungarian oak, this shows concentrated black licorice, blackberry, anise and chocolate flavors alongside bright minerality on the palate. This is seriously lifted, sexy Cab that would be a perfect foil for a juicy ribeye steak. Drink 2023-2038" - Dr. Owen Bargreen
2019 Cabernet Franc - Knights Valley
94 points - Best Bordeaux Variety (SIFF Wine Competition)
"Sensational Cab Franc offering that fills the mouth with lively flavors of wild berries, blue fruits, chocolate, and savory spices" - Christopher Sawyer
93 points (Santé Magazine)
2019 Pinot Noir Passion de la Reine Reserve - Russian River Valley
93 points (PinotFile)
"Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Somewhat muted aromatically with demure aromas of black cherry pie, bakery, and toast. Lighter in weight than the Pleasant Hill bottling but with inviting elegance, polish, and more underlying acidity that shows up on the lip-smacking but modest finish. Still a bit tight on this occasion and I would drink the Pleasant Hill while this wine spends some time in the cellar when it should become more expressive." - Rusty Gaffney, MD
92 points (SteveHeimoff.com)
"This shows the classic earthiness of Russian River Valley Pinots, with pomegranate, dried tomato, beetroot, cola, red raspberry and sweet licorice flavors ending in a peppery bite. It’s very complex, and for all the richness, properly dry. The tannins are refined, and the acidity is nice and tart. A lovely wine that improves as it breathes in the glass, and perfect to drink now." - Steve Heimoff
92 points (James Suckling)
"A pleasant nose of roses, red cherries and oyster shells. Medium-bodied with good presence and depth. Well-integrated tannins. Juicy, with delicate baking spice on the palate. Delightful. Drink now." - James Suckling
2019 Pinot Noir Pleasant Hill - Russian River Valley
94 points (PinotFile)
"Moderately light garnet color in the glass. A complex nose soars with the perfume of Bing cherry juice, ripe strawberry, rose petal, musk and a hint of ginger. Plenty of black cherry, strawberry, and cola flavors embrace the palate and carry over to a lengthy and beautifully aromatic finish. Impeccably balanced in a mid-weight plus style with an admirable touch of oak compliment. Very forward but even better when tasted the following day from a previously opened bottle." - Rusty Gaffney, MD
93 points (Steve Heimoff)
"Intensity of flavor marks this wine. It’s a concentrated laser-beam of raspberries and cherries, the quintessence of these fruits. Earthy complexity is added by the teriyaki, mushroom, cola and beetroot nuances. Intense acidity boosts and brightens the flavors; this Pinot needs rich, fatty foods, like lamb. For all the size, you’ll find Pinot’s silkiness and delicacy. A really impressive Pinot that straddles the line between power and finesse." - Steve Heimoff
91 points (James Suckling)
"Aromas of red cherries, sage and violets. Medium-bodied with rock-salt salinity. Well-integrated tannins and fresh acidity. Some citrus character as well. Tasty. Drink now." - James Suckling
2019 Pinot Noir - Los Carneros
93 points (PinotFile)
"Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Welcoming aromas of spiced cherry, pastry and wine cellar. Forward and easy to cozy up to in a middleweight style with discretely robust flavors of black cherry, cola and baking spices. Nicely composed with civil tannins and a finish with very good cherry-driven length." - Rusty Gaffney, MD
91 points (SteveHeimoff.com)
"California-ripe raspberries and cherries are the predominant flavors, alongside sweet, smoky oak and a teriyaki exoticness. This is a big, rich, heady Pinot Noir; despite its size, it retains a certain delicacy and silkiness. There’s a spicy core, and the finish is long and satisfying. You might want to age it for a few years." - Steve Heimoff
2019 Pinot Noir - Sonoma Coast
91 points (PinotFile)
"Light garnet color in the glass. The nose is aromatically forward showing scents of cherry, strawberry and bark. Mid-weight in style, offering flavors of red fruits and spice with a hint of oak and a savory herbal undertone. Ripe and forward, with gracious tannins and a modest but satisfying finish." - Rusty Gaffney, MD
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