Brand Brio Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2016

Brand Brio Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2016 is a Pritchard Hill red blend from BRAND Napa Valley at 15.4% ABV in a standard 750ml bottle. Scored 93 points by Jeb Dunnuck and 91 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, this mountain-grown Cabernet-dominant blend channels the iron-rich soils and elevation of one of Napa Valley's most coveted vineyard sites.

Quick Facts: ABV: 15.4%  |  Origin: Pritchard Hill, Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2016  |  Producer: BRAND Napa Valley

Production & Heritage

BRAND Napa Valley farms estate vineyards on Pritchard Hill at elevations between 1,200 and 1,400 feet, a sub-region long revered for producing muscular, texturally driven Cabernet Sauvignon built to age. The Brio bottling blends 65% Cabernet Sauvignon with 30% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, giving it a layered aromatic complexity beyond a single-varietal wine. The 2016 vintage was aged for 22 months in 50% new French oak, integrating structure without overwhelming the fruit and savory character that Pritchard Hill terroir delivers.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with warm cassis, blueberry tart, and crushed plums before shifting into darker, savory territory — chargrill, beef drippings, and a hint of Marmite toast. A delicate thread of bay leaves weaves through the bouquet, adding herbal nuance.

Taste: On entry, dazzling black cherry and cocoa powder coat the palate, joined by flashes of cardamom and licorice at mid-palate. The wine is medium to full-bodied, filling the mouth with loads of dark fruit, leafy herbs, and olive tapenade-like savoriness. Firm, chewy tannins provide serious backbone without tipping into austerity.

Finish: The finish is long and layered, carrying mineral undertones and plenty of savory depth. A pleasant herbal lift lingers at the very end, leaving the palate refreshed rather than heavy.

How to Drink Brio 2016

This is a wine designed for the glass, not the shaker — serve it at cellar temperature (60–65°F) and decant for at least an hour to let the tannins soften and the aromatic complexity unfold. For those who prefer a slight chill, a single large ice sphere can tame the 15.4% alcohol and open the fruit further. It also holds up beautifully as a food wine: its tannic grip and savory profile make it a natural partner at the dinner table rather than in cocktails.

Best For

• Cellaring for special milestone occasions — the 2016 vintage's firm tannins and structure suggest rewarding development ahead
• Pairing with a dry-aged steak dinner for two
• Gifting a serious Napa Valley Cabernet collector
• Anchoring a Pritchard Hill or mountain Cabernet tasting flight

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Brio 2016 taste like? It delivers concentrated black cherry, cocoa powder, and cassis alongside savory notes of leafy herbs, licorice, and olive tapenade, framed by firm, chewy tannins and a lingering herbal finish.

How does Brio 2016 compare to other Pritchard Hill Cabernets? Like its Pritchard Hill neighbors, Brio shows the muscular tannic structure and mineral-driven intensity typical of the appellation's iron-rich, rocky soils at elevation. The 30% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot in the blend give it a notably aromatic and herbal dimension that distinguishes it from purely varietal Pritchard Hill Cabernets.

Is Brio 2016 good for aging? Yes — the wine's firm tannin structure, concentrated dark fruit, and savory depth are hallmarks of a Napa mountain Cabernet built to develop over years in the cellar. Decanting is recommended if drinking now to allow the tannins to integrate.

Where is Brio 2016 made? It is produced by BRAND Napa Valley from estate vineyards on Pritchard Hill, a prestigious mountain site in the eastern hills of Napa Valley at 1,200 to 1,400 feet elevation.

What foods pair well with Brio 2016? Dry-aged ribeye steak highlights the wine's tannic grip and savory herbs. Braised short ribs echo its dark fruit and licorice notes. Aged Comté or Gruyère complement the cocoa and mineral undertones. Lamb chops with rosemary mirror the herbal lift on the finish. Mushroom risotto with truffle oil matches its earthy, savory layers.

What sizes does Brio 2016 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is Brio 2016 worth the price? Positioned firmly in the premium tier of Napa Valley Cabernet, Brio carries the prestige of Pritchard Hill provenance, estate-grown fruit, and 22 months of French oak aging. Its 93-point Jeb Dunnuck score and structured aging potential place it competitively among serious mountain Cabernets from the region.

Why Brio 2016?

Pritchard Hill remains one of the most exclusive vineyard addresses in Napa Valley, and the 2016 Brio captures its rugged character — mineral-laced, tannic, and powerfully concentrated — while the unusual 30% Cabernet Franc component adds aromatic lift and herbal complexity rarely found in the appellation's Cabernet-dominant wines. The 2016 vintage is widely regarded as an outstanding year across Napa Valley, giving this bottling a strong foundation of ripe, balanced fruit. Backed by a 93-point score from Jeb Dunnuck and 22 months of careful French oak maturation, this is a mountain Cabernet that rewards patience in the cellar and attention in the glass.