Newton Vineyard : Unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Newton Vineyard Unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a deep garnet red hue with intense ruby and purple highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals lovely aromatic complexity with notes of wild red cherry accompanied by nuances of tobacco and fresh herbs. As it opens, the bouquet unveils aromas of blackcurrant, violet, mocha and anise, rounded out by touches of fresh plum, bark, pine needles, milk chocolate and clove.

Palate

On the palate, this wine stands out for its full, generous structure. Concentrated black fruits dominate the palate, supported by chocolatey richness and mineral tannins reminiscent of graphite. The texture reveals fine, firm tannins, lightly powdery, which bring beautiful structural definition. Flavors of blackberry and blackcurrant mingle with notes of sweet spices, cedar and herbaceous touches recalling tobacco leaf and sage. The finish lingers with elegance, leaving fruity aromas to persist alongside earthy nuances and toasted cedar.

Food and wine pairing

This Cabernet Sauvignon pairs perfectly with grilled red meats, particularly beef fillet or leg of lamb. It also pairs very well with aged hard cheeses as well as dark chocolate preparations.

Service and storage

The Unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is best served between 16 and 18°C. Decanting for one to two hours allows the wine to fully open up and reveal its complete aromatic complexity. As an unfiltered wine, it may present natural sediment. According to professional recommendations, this wine can be enjoyed until around 2030, although its aging potential may extend beyond that.

Other characteristics

This wine has received scores of 92 points from Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast, as well as 93 points from James Suckling, confirming its excellence and remarkable value for money.

An unfiltered Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, an authentic expression of Newton Vineyard's mountain terroirs

The estate

Founded in 1977 by Peter Newton and Su Hua on Spring Mountain near Saint Helena, Newton Vineyard established itself as a pioneer of mountain viticulture in Napa Valley. The estate was acquired in 2001 by LVMH, which invested in converting the vineyard to certified organic farming. Following the devastating fire of 2020 and a temporary closure, the estate was taken over in September 2025 by a group of investors led by Nick Livanos and Eric Bryan Seuthe. Under the direction of winemaker Caryn Harrison, Newton Vineyard continues its tradition of excellence with a philosophy centered on terroir expression and unfiltered winemaking practices, a technique the estate pioneered in California.

The vineyard

This wine comes from three distinct vineyards located in Napa Valley: Spring Mountain, Mount Veeder and Yountville. The Spring Mountain and Mount Veeder plots, planted at altitudes between 240 and 490 meters, benefit from east-facing exposures that moderate afternoon heat and preserve the fruit's natural freshness. The soils, made up of volcanic and sedimentary elements including clay, rock, sandstone and shale, give the wine its characteristic minerality reminiscent of graphite. The Yountville vineyard, located at a more moderate altitude, contributes fruity generosity. The entire vineyard is farmed according to the principles of certified organic agriculture, with hand harvesting and precise plot management that allows the singularity of each terroir to be expressed.

The vintage

The 2018 vintage in California benefited from favorable climatic conditions that allowed for optimal grape ripening. Newton's mountain vineyards particularly benefited from these conditions, producing concentrated fruit while preserving the natural freshness and acidity characteristic of high-altitude sites.

Winemaking and aging

The Unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is made using an approach that respects the terroir, favoring the indigenous yeasts naturally present on the grapes. Each plot is vinified separately to preserve the specific expression of its terroir before the final blend. The wine is then aged for sixteen months in French oak barrels, 30% of which are new, allowing for subtle integration of the wood without masking the character of the fruit. True to the estate's philosophy, this wine is bottled without filtration, thereby preserving the integrity of the fruit and its natural texture.

Grape varieties

Cabernet Sauvignon (97%), Petit Verdot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc