Sipping Your Way Through December — Day 23

Priest Ranch 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon

I chose Priest Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 for today’s featured bottle since Napa Cabs remain a favorite of many wine lovers. Lighter reds, understandably, are having more than their moment, thanks to their drinkability and lower alcohol. However, there are still plenty of nights, meals, and celebrations that call for something bold, generous, and guaranteed to impress.

The Priest Ranch Cab is richly fruited and powerful, yet never feels heavy-handed, a common pitfall with Napa Cabs. Instead, it’s all about balance and polish here. The tannins won’t make you feel like you’ve rubbed sandpaper in your mouth, the acidity keeps things lively, and the oak adds depth without taking away from the fruit. What you get is a Cabernet that feels indulgent but never too much, with a freshness that carries beautifully from the first sip to the last.

The fruit for this wine comes from vineyards in the Vaca Mountains on the eastern side of Napa Valley, where warm sunlit days, high elevation, and rocky soils contribute to intensity and freshness. That sense of place is immediately evident in the glass. Aromas of red cherries and black licorice lead the way, followed by layers of dark fruit, like blackberries, plums, and blueberries, alongside notes of espresso, dark chocolate, leather, dusty earth, and a touch of pepper.

Sounds scrumptious, doesn’t it?! It’s a great choice for a holiday table or dinner party, paired with a prime rib roast, grilled steaks, or mushroom-laden stews. Or wrap it up as a gift you know will be well received.

Find the wine (for about $52) on wine-searcher.com.

Note: Visiting Napa? Priest Ranch has a great tasting room in Yountville where you can indulge in a “Bacon & Wine Experience.” Check it out!