Forman Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Forman Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is a Bordeaux-style Napa Valley red blend bottled at 14.8% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 97 points by Vinous Media and 96 points from Jeb Dunnuck, this vintage stands as one of the most critically celebrated releases in the estate's history.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.8%  |  Origin: St. Helena, Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2019  |  Winery: Forman Vineyard

Production & Heritage

Forman Vineyard sits on a ridge at the base of Howell Mountain in St. Helena, where founder Ric Forman — a veteran winemaker whose career spans decades in Napa Valley — operates as a strong advocate for minimal intervention. The 2019 is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 9% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot, fermented in small stainless steel tanks to preserve lot separation and precision. After fermentation, the wine ages in new French oak barrels inside deep caves carved directly into the estate's hillside, where a naturally cool, dark, and humid environment means the wine literally matures within the same soils from which the grapes were grown.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with classic darker currants and blackberry before layering in green tobacco, spring flowers, and camphor. New leather and a subtle gunpowder note emerge as the wine breathes, revealing real aromatic complexity.

Taste: On entry, the palate delivers fresh, sweet boysenberry with a slightly piquant edge. The mid-palate builds with black currant, cedar, and chocolate, while a dusty earthiness and Brazil nut character give the wine structural weight. A backbone of tar and currants drives toward a peak punctuated by black pepper and turned earth, showcasing what critics have described as remarkable textural intensity.

Finish: The finish is long, firm, and layered with savory and floral echoes that linger well past the final sip. Fine-grained tannins carry tobacco and dark fruit through a sustained, elegant conclusion.

How to Drink Forman Cabernet

This is a wine built for the glass, not the shaker — drink it neat in a large-bowled Bordeaux glass at cellar temperature (60–65°F), and consider decanting for 45 minutes to an hour to let the aromatics fully unfurl. If you prefer wine-based cocktails, it works in a Cabernet Reduction Sangria featuring stone fruit and a cinnamon stick for spice contrast, a Kalimotxo (equal parts red wine and cola, served over ice) for an unexpectedly refreshing warm-weather serve, or a New York Sour where its dark fruit and tannic backbone float beautifully over a whiskey sour base.

Best For

• Cellaring for long-term aging — the structure and acidity suggest a generous drinking window through the early 2040s
• Gifting a serious Napa Valley wine collector a critically acclaimed vintage
• Pairing with a special-occasion steak dinner or holiday prime rib
• Adding a 97-point wine to a curated home cellar

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Forman Cabernet taste like? The 2019 vintage delivers concentrated dark currant, boysenberry, and blackberry fruit layered with cedar, tobacco, chocolate, and a distinctive dusty earthiness. Fine-grained tannins and notable textural intensity give it a structured yet elegant profile.

How does Forman Cabernet compare to Dunn Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon? Both wines represent a classically structured, old-school Napa Cabernet philosophy, but Forman's Bordeaux-style blending — incorporating Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot — adds aromatic complexity and mid-palate breadth that a 100% varietal Cabernet typically does not offer. The 2019 Forman also scored 97 points from Vinous, placing it among the highest-rated wines in its peer set for that vintage.

Is Forman Cabernet good for sipping neat? Absolutely — this is a wine designed for contemplative drinking, with enough aromatic layers and structural depth to reward slow, focused attention over the course of an evening.

Where is Forman Cabernet made? Forman Vineyard is located in St. Helena, at the base of Howell Mountain in the heart of Napa Valley, California. The wine is fermented on-site in small stainless steel tanks and aged in caves dug into the estate's hillside.

What foods pair well with Forman Cabernet? Grilled bone-in ribeye steak mirrors the wine's dark fruit intensity; braised short ribs complement its earthy, savory undertones; aged Comté or Gruyère cheese echoes the nutty, chocolate notes; roasted lamb with herbs bridges the tobacco and floral aromatics; and dark chocolate truffles provide a rich dessert pairing that aligns with the wine's cocoa finish.

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

Is Forman Cabernet worth the price? Forman Cabernet positions squarely in the premium-to-ultra-premium tier of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and the 2019 vintage — with 97 points from Vinous and 96 from Jeb Dunnuck — delivers critical acclaim that meets or exceeds many wines at comparable or higher price points.

Why Forman Cabernet?

The 2019 vintage represents a convergence of an exceptional growing year and Ric Forman's decades-long commitment to letting the vineyard speak through minimal winemaking intervention. A 97-point score from Vinous places this release among the elite Napa Valley Cabernets of its vintage. The estate's cave-aging program — where barrels rest inside the very hillside that feeds the vines — gives the wine a sense of place that few producers can replicate. For collectors and serious drinkers seeking a classically structured, age-worthy Napa Cabernet with genuine critical weight behind it, this is a bottle that justifies its reputation.