Burgess Contadina Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Burgess Contadina Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is a Napa Valley red blend built on 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 92 points by Vinous, this vintage draws its character from the historic Sorenson Vineyard, where vines planted as far back as 1872 root into volcanic ash soils at elevations between 800 and 1,000 feet.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2018  |  Winery: Burgess Cellars

Production & Heritage

Burgess Cellars produces the Contadina from the Sorenson Vineyard, one of Napa Valley's oldest continuously cultivated vineyard sites. The 2018 blend comprises 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, and 4% Malbec, fermented with native yeast under a minimal-intervention philosophy that allows the mountain terroir to express itself without heavy-handed winemaking. The volcanic ash soils and moderate-to-high elevation contribute natural acidity and mineral tension uncommon in valley-floor Napa Cabernet, while the Petit Verdot and Malbec fractions add color density and mid-palate weight.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with savory notes of black olive and bay leaf before unfolding into high-toned herbal aromatics — mint, sage, and sweet tobacco. Underneath, concentrated blackberry and cassis provide a dark-fruit foundation, with subtle cedar emerging as the wine breathes.

Taste: The entry is dense and ripe, led by black currant and dark cherry that dominate the front palate. At mid-palate, layers of plum, blueberry, and baking spice build complexity, while scorched earth and licorice tones add a savory counterpoint. The Petit Verdot and Malbec contribute textural grip and a velvety quality that keeps the fruit anchored.

Finish: Long and structured, with lingering notes of dark chocolate, tar, and dried herbs. Fine-grained tannins persist through the close, suggesting the 2018 has meaningful cellar potential ahead.

How to Drink Contadina 2018

This mountain Cabernet rewards an hour in a decanter and tastes best at 62–65°F; a splash of water can soften the tannins and open the herbal aromatics further. In cocktails, the Contadina's depth and structure make it a strong candidate for a Cabernet Reduction Syrup used in a wine-based Old Fashioned for its concentrated dark-fruit intensity; a New York Sour, where the savory, tannic backbone floats beautifully over bourbon and citrus; or a Kalimotxo, though unconventional, because the wine's acidity and spice can stand up to cola without losing identity.

Best For

• Gifting a Napa Valley Cabernet collector drawn to mountain-grown expressions
• Anchoring a multi-course dinner featuring grilled or braised red meats
• Cellaring — the 2018 vintage structure supports development through the late 2020s
• Side-by-side tastings comparing mountain versus valley-floor Napa Cabernet

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Contadina 2018 taste like? The dominant profile centers on ripe black currant and dark cherry layered with savory notes of black olive, licorice, and scorched earth, finishing with dark chocolate and fine-grained tannins.

How does Contadina 2018 compare to Stag's Leap Artemis Cabernet? The Contadina is more savory and mineral-driven, reflecting its high-elevation volcanic vineyard, whereas Artemis draws from valley-floor fruit and tends toward a rounder, more overtly fruit-forward style at a similar ABV range.

Is Contadina 2018 good for sipping neat? Yes — this wine was built for the table and the glass, with enough tannin structure and aromatic complexity to reward attentive, unadorned drinking, especially after decanting.

Where is Contadina 2018 made? It is produced by Burgess Cellars in Napa Valley, California, from fruit grown on the Sorenson Vineyard at 800 to 1,000 feet elevation on volcanic ash soils.

What foods pair well with Contadina 2018? Grilled lamb chops complement the wine's herbal and savory aromatics; beef short ribs braised in red wine mirror its dark-fruit depth; aged hard cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano match the tannic structure; wild mushroom risotto echoes its earthy, mineral-driven palate; and dark-chocolate desserts align with the lingering cocoa notes on the finish.

What sizes does Contadina 2018 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is Contadina 2018 worth the price? It positions as a premium Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and its 92-point Vinous score, historic single-vineyard sourcing, and native-yeast production approach deliver strong value within the mountain Cabernet category.

Why Contadina 2018?

The defining strength of this wine is its vineyard source — Sorenson is among the oldest cultivated sites in Napa Valley, and its volcanic ash soils at elevation produce a Cabernet that tastes fundamentally different from the plush, valley-floor norm. The 2018 vintage delivered warm, even ripening across Napa, and Burgess harnessed that quality by stepping back: native yeast fermentation and minimal intervention let the site speak. A 92-point Vinous rating confirms the result — a structured, savory, age-worthy Napa Cabernet that earns attention for terroir specificity rather than winemaking showmanship.