Groth Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2018

Groth Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2018 is a 96-point Oakville Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon bottled at 14.7% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Scoring 96 points from both Wine Spectator and Vinous, this vintage — widely considered one of Napa's finest — represents the pinnacle of Groth's estate-grown fruit from their renowned 28-acre Reserve Vineyard in the heart of Oakville.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.7%  |  Origin: Oakville, Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2018  |  Winery: Groth Vineyards & Winery

Production & Heritage

Groth Vineyards & Winery farms a storied Oakville estate distinguished by an unusually high concentration of chert — a dense sedimentary rock composed of quartz crystals and fossils — in its soils. The 2018 Reserve is composed of 99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Merlot, sourced exclusively from the finest lots within that 28-acre Reserve Vineyard parcel. The wine was aged for 22 months in 100% new French oak barrels, then given an additional 14 months of bottle aging before release, allowing the oak integration and tannic structure to reach equilibrium prior to reaching consumers.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Purple-ruby and dark even to the eye, the wine opens with concentrated blueberry and black currant. Secondary waves of cinnamon, mocha, lavender, and clove gradually emerge, giving way to deeper aromatics of cigar box and wet gravel that signal the wine's Oakville terroir.

Taste: The entry is defined by fine-grained tannin and balanced acidity, immediately establishing structural poise. Mid-palate, vivid boysenberry, blackberry, and ripe plum skin flavors unfold with precision, while streaks of racy anise, alder, and sweet bay leaf provide focus. A piercing beam of cassis and raspberry coulis drives through the core, scored with singed alder and iron minerality.

Finish: Seamless and smooth — the signature hallmark of a Groth Reserve Cabernet. Incense, tobacco, and dark fruit linger at length, with the fine tannins carrying the wine's structure well beyond the last sip.

How to Drink Groth Reserve 2018

This wine is best served neat in a large-bowled Bordeaux glass at 62–65°F; decanting for 45–60 minutes will allow the tightly wound aromatics to fully express themselves. While primarily a sipping wine, it also works in select wine-forward cocktails: a Cabernet Sangria benefits from the dark fruit intensity; a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) gains uncommon depth from the wine's mocha and spice character; and a New York Sour earns a striking float layer thanks to the wine's vivid purple hue and concentrated berry profile.

Best For

• Cellaring through 2035 and beyond as a long-term investment wine
• Gifting a Napa Valley collector or Cabernet enthusiast on a milestone occasion
• Pairing with a special-occasion steak dinner or holiday prime rib
• Adding a 96-point Oakville Cabernet to a curated home wine collection

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Groth Reserve 2018 taste like? The dominant profile centers on concentrated dark fruit — boysenberry, blackberry, and cassis — layered with mocha, anise, cigar box, and iron-tinged minerality, all supported by fine-grained tannins and balanced acidity.

How does Groth Reserve 2018 compare to Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are premium Napa Valley Cabernets, but the Groth Reserve leans toward a more structured, terroir-driven style shaped by Oakville's chert-rich soils, whereas Caymus Special Selection typically favors a rounder, more fruit-forward and opulently textured approach. The 2018 Groth Reserve's dual 96-point scores from Wine Spectator and Vinous place it in the company of Napa wines costing significantly more.

Is Groth Reserve 2018 good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its fine tannin structure, balanced acidity, and layered complexity make it an exceptional neat-sipping wine, especially after 45–60 minutes of decanting to open the aromatics fully.

Where is Groth Reserve 2018 made? Groth Reserve is produced by Groth Vineyards & Winery, located in the Oakville AVA of Napa Valley, California. The fruit comes from a 28-acre Reserve Vineyard block on the Groth family's Oakville estate, renowned for its chert-laden soils.

What foods pair well with Groth Reserve 2018? Grilled ribeye steak matches the wine's tannin and dark fruit weight. Braised short ribs echo its mocha and spice undertones. Aged Gouda or Comté complement the wine's savory, nutty finish. Roasted lamb with herbs amplifies the bay leaf and anise character. Dark chocolate truffles mirror its deep berry and cigar box notes.

What sizes does Groth Reserve 2018 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the primary format available for this vintage.

Is Groth Reserve 2018 worth the price? Groth Reserve positions as a premium Napa Valley Cabernet, and the 2018 vintage in particular delivers critical acclaim — 96 points from both Wine Spectator and Vinous — that rivals Oakville wines priced well above its tier, making it a strong value within the upper echelon of Napa Cabernet.

Why Groth Reserve 2018?

The 2018 vintage is widely regarded as one of the greatest ever recorded in Napa Valley, and this Reserve captures that excellence with dual 96-point scores from Wine Spectator and Vinous. What sets the wine apart is its origin: a 28-acre Reserve Vineyard plot with an unusually high concentration of chert, a quartz-rich sedimentary rock that contributes the wine's distinctive wet gravel and iron minerality rarely found in other Oakville bottlings. The 22 months in 100% new French oak followed by 14 months of bottle aging result in a seamless integration of fruit, structure, and oak that few wines at this price tier achieve. For collectors and serious Cabernet drinkers, this is a benchmark Oakville expression from a benchmark Napa vintage.