Bennet Lane Maximus Red Blend

Bennett Lane Maximus Red Blend is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant Napa Valley red blend from Calistoga, bottled at 14.8% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Estate-grown on vineyards neighboring the legendary Chateau Montelena, the Maximus has earned critical recognition including 94 points from Decanter and a Gold Medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.8%  |  Origin: Calistoga, Napa Valley, California  |  Red Blend  |  Winery: Bennett Lane Winery

Production & Heritage

Bennett Lane Winery is situated in Calistoga at the northern end of Napa Valley, where approximately 90% of the fruit for the Maximus is estate-grown. The 2019 vintage is composed of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 6% Syrah, 5% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot — a five-varietal blend that shifts slightly with each harvest. Grapes are hand-picked and hand-sorted before undergoing a three-day cold soak prior to fermentation, then aged for 18 months in 25% new French oak barrels, building structure without overwhelming the fruit.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dense blackberry and cassis greet the nose first, followed by layers of dark chocolate, toasted oak spice, and a subtle floral lift of lavender. Deeper in the glass, cigar box and vanilla emerge as the wine opens.

Taste: The entry is generous with ripe black cherry and blueberry, moving into a mid-palate rich with milk chocolate, mocha crème, and baked plum. A concentrated core of cassis and raspberry fruit carries through, framed by cinnamon, nutmeg, and cedar. Despite the density, silky tannins and bracing acidity keep the palate juicy and balanced rather than heavy.

Finish: Medium-long, with lingering dark chocolate, red licorice, and a whisper of vanilla oak. The tannins resolve smoothly, leaving a clean impression of ripe fruit and warm baking spice.

How to Drink the Maximus Red Blend

This wine shows best at cellar temperature, around 60–65°F, poured into a large-bowled glass with 20–30 minutes of breathing time. Decanting will open up the chocolate and spice notes further. While built for drinking on its own alongside a meal, the Maximus also holds up well in a bold red wine Sangria thanks to its fruit density, works in a classic Kalimotxo for a casual setting where the dark fruit and cola complement each other, and stands up nicely in a red wine reduction sauce base where the concentrated cherry and oak translate directly into the dish.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners that call for a serious but accessible Napa red
• Gifting to someone exploring premium California Cabernet blends
• Steak night or backyard grilling with charred red meats
• Building a Napa Valley collection without committing to single-vineyard pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Maximus Red Blend taste like? The dominant flavors are ripe black cherry, blackberry, and dark chocolate, layered with baking spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and supported by silky tannins and bright acidity.

How does the Maximus Red Blend compare to The Prisoner Red Blend? Both are popular Napa Valley red blends, but the Maximus is Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant (78%) with Calistoga estate fruit and 18 months in French oak, while The Prisoner leads with Zinfandel in a broader multi-varietal blend with a jammier, more fruit-forward profile. The Maximus tends toward a more structured, Bordeaux-influenced style.

Is the Maximus Red Blend good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — the combination of concentrated fruit, moderate tannins, and French oak aging makes it well-suited for drinking neat alongside a meal or on its own after decanting.

Where is the Maximus Red Blend made? Bennett Lane Winery is located in Calistoga, at the northern tip of Napa Valley in California, where 90% of the Maximus fruit is estate-grown on vineyards adjacent to iconic properties like Chateau Montelena.

What foods pair well with the Maximus Red Blend? Grilled ribeye steak brings out the wine's dark fruit and oak spice. Braised short ribs mirror its rich chocolate and plum notes. Aged cheddar or Gruyère complement the firm tannins. Dark chocolate desserts echo the mocha and cocoa finish. Lamb chops with rosemary work well against the blend's cassis and cedar backbone.

What sizes does the Maximus Red Blend come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is the Maximus Red Blend worth the price? The Maximus positions as a mid-range Napa Valley red blend that consistently punches above its weight — Wine Spectator named the 2002 vintage a Top Value Napa Valley Cabernet, and the wine continues to earn scores in the 90–94 point range from critics, making it a strong value within the Napa Cabernet blend category.

Why the Maximus Red Blend?

What separates the Maximus from the crowded field of Napa red blends is its estate Calistoga sourcing — 90% of the fruit comes from vineyards sharing the same benchland as Chateau Montelena, one of the most storied properties in American wine. The meticulous hand-sorting and three-day cold soak before fermentation extract color and flavor intensity without harsh tannins, while 18 months in restrained new French oak (just 25%) lets the fruit lead. Consistent scores from Decanter (94 points) and the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (Gold Medal) confirm the wine delivers vintage after vintage. For drinkers who want concentrated, well-structured Napa Cabernet character in a five-varietal blend without the single-vineyard price tag, the Maximus makes a compelling case.