Conn Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Class of '73 Napa Valley 2023

Jeb Dunnuck, 95+ Points "Based on 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc and aged 24 months in 80% new oak, the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Class Of '73 comes from vines around the winery with some fruit from Oakville. It shows a deep purple hue and offers darker black and blue fruits, spring flowers, violets, black olive, and crushed stone on the nose. Medium to full-bodied, it has a pure, focused mouthfeel with beautiful tannins and a great finish. This is a brilliant, beautifully textured, serious wine that should evolve gracefully for 15-20+ years. Drink 2025-2045."

Decanter, 95 Points "Aromas of smoked meat, iodine, black currants, olive tapenade and crushed rocks. The palate is full-bodied with firmly framed tannins and a textural mouthfeel that is tactile and mineral driven. Drink or hold."|-James Suckling, 94|"The Class of ’73 Cabernet is the flagship wine of the estate and a finely built expression. Leaner and more focused than the previous vintage, it is notably floral-driven, with black cherry and blackberry fruit at its core. The tannins are intensely robust yet finely detailed, almost pixelated in texture, showing a surprising velvety finesse. Notes of pipe tobacco and elegant new-oak cedar add complexity, while the overall impression remains fresh, lifted and inviting."

IWR, 93 Points "The 2023 'Class of '73' Cabernet Sauvignon opens with inviting aromas of blackcurrant, cherries, and ripe plum, interwoven with touches of violet, dried herbs, warm spice, and a distinct vein of rocky minerality. On the palate, it delivers a full-bodied, mountain-grown intensity, with concentrated dark fruit supported by fine-grained tannins and energetic acidity. Layers of graphite, cocoa, and savory nuance add dimension as the wine moves with both polish and power. The finish is long and resonant, marked by a persistent mineral echo that speaks to the vineyard’s elevation and promises graceful evolution with time."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 90 Points "Named for the year the winery was founded and for the throwback style of the wine, Conn Creek's 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Class of '73 blends fruit from Oak Knoll, Rutherford and Saint Helena. Slightly leafy, herbal notes accent cherries on the nose, while the medium-bodied palate is silky and tart, with a bright, fresh finish."