2015 Robert Keenan Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 750 ml

The Stars of Spring Mountain Cab

Before we say anything about today’s 2015 Keenan Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, we have to tell you that there are only 35 cases up for grabs. The lauded 2015 vintage had record-low yields across the valley, meaning even this iconic Spring Mountain winery couldn’t produce enough bottles to satisfy demand.

Sourced from the jagged peaks of Spring Mountain in Northwest Napa Valley, Keenan is literally in a realm of its own. Founded over 40 years ago, their estate vineyards overlook Napa Valley from a rugged perch well above the fog line, lending deep purple color, and intense, black-fruited concentration to their chart-topping wines. Purists from grape to glass, their Cabernets marry power with elegance and restraint, and have defined mountain Cabernets across Napa Valley. In the words of Robert Parker, “This winery on Spring Mountain has been doing an impeccable job of winemaking for a number of years now, and they continue to show a Midas touch across all varieties they work with.”

Keenan’s Napa Cabernet follows the same script each vintage: Cabernet Sauvignon grown at the Keenan Estate up on Spring Mountain brings impeccable mountain fruit and tannin to the final blend, which includes eastern Pope Valley Cabernet, which lends aromatic complexity, a balanced mid-palate, and blue-black fruit purity. The 2015 offers effusive aromas of black cherry compote, blackberry, currant, pipe tobacco, pie spice, and mocha. Heady and full-bodied, it balances layers of blueberry, black cherry, cassis, toasty oak, and Madagascar vanilla all framed by firm, supple tannins. This is an elegant example of Napa Valley know-how that competes with Cabernets at twice the price.

Its standing is no surprise when you take a look at the team behind Keenan. Helmed the all-star duo of Michael Keenan and pioneering 100-point consultant Nils Venge, Keenan Cabernet Sauvignon is a standout vintage after vintage.

These days, the progression is predictable: A Napa winemaker finally earns a 100-point score, then starts to consult for wineries eager to avail themselves of his expertise—not to mention his cachet. But in 1994, when Keenan Winery first hired Nils Venge as a consultant, those waters were mostly uncharted. This was in large part because, until Venge notched a 100-point score with a growing publication called the Wine Advocate, Napa Valley had never known a 100-point winemaker.

We don’t have to tell you where it went from there: Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate is now the most influential publication in the wine world, Napa Valley is a hotbed of high-scoring wines, and Keenan Winery—wise to grab Nils Venge while they could—is still putting out stellar Cabernet Sauvignon under his watchful eye.

While the loyalists have already hit “buy,” all we can do is hope there’ll be few cases left for the first-timers.