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Napa Valley

Napa Valley AVA is the most famous winemaking region in the United States and one of the most prestigious in the world. With nearly 43,000 acres of vineyards and more than 300 wineries, it is the heart of fine wine production in the United States. Winemaking started in Napa in 1838 when George C. Yount planted grapes and began producing wine commercially. Other winemaking pioneers followed in the late 19th century, including the founders of Charles Krug, Schramsberg, Inglenook and Beaulieu Vineyards. An infestation of phylloxera, an insect that attacks vine roots, and the onset of Prohibition nearly wiped out the nascent Napa wine industry in the early 20th century. But by the late 1950s and early 1960s Robert Mondavi and other visionaries were producing quality wines easily distinguishable from the mass-produced jug wines made in California’s Central Valley. Napa Valley’s AVA was established in 1983, and today there are 16 sub-appellations within the Napa Valley AVA. Many grapes grow well in Napa’s Mediterranean climate, but the region is best known for Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay is also very successfully cultivated, and about 30% of the AVA’s acreage is planted to white grapes, with the majority of those grapes being Chardonnay,

1988 Caymus Zinfandel

Light capsule condition issue; mid shoulder fill; light label condition issue

1985 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon

Light capsule condition issue; very top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

2 available
Bid *

1985 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon

Light capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; very top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

1989 Joseph Phelps Insignia

Light label condition issue

1984 Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Signs of past seepage; top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

WS  94   
RP  90   

1984 Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Base neck fill; light label condition issue

WS  94   
RP  90   

1984 Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Base neck fill

WS  94   
RP  90   

1986 Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Signs of past seepage; very top shoulder fill

RP  90   
WS  #1 of 1990   

1986 Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Lightly depressed cork; base neck fill; light label condition issue

RP  90   
WS  #1 of 1990   

1986 Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Lightly depressed cork; signs of past seepage; base neck fill; light label condition issue

RP  90   
WS  #1 of 1990   

1986 Far Niente Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Light capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; light label condition issue

1989 Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon

Light label condition issue

WS  90   

1985 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon

Lightly depressed cork; label condition issue

1986 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon

Light capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

RP  96   
WS  92   
ST  91   

1986 Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; light label condition issue

RP  96   
WS  96   
ST  91   

1989 Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

RP  91   
WS  90   
4 available
Bid *

1989 Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Lightly depressed cork; heavy label condition issue

RP  91   
WS  90   

1989 Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Light label condition issue

RP  91   
WS  90   

1987 Chappellet Vineyards Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

WA  94   
WS  90   
4 available
Bid *

1981 Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill

Light capsule condition issue; very top shoulder fill; label condition issue

3 available
Bid *

1980 Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Light capsule condition issue; base neck fill; label condition issue

MB  ****   

1981 Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Light capsule condition issue; light signs of past seepage; base neck fill; label condition issue

1981 Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Light capsule condition issue; label condition issue

1982 Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Light capsule condition issue; label condition issue

RP  90   

1983 Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Light capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; label condition issue