Nickel & Nickel State Ranch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Nickel & Nickel State Ranch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is a single-vineyard, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Yountville, Napa Valley, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a 750ml format. This expression earned 94 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Jeb Dunnuck, and James Suckling — a rare trifecta of critical consensus that signals benchmark quality from one of Yountville's most historic vineyard sites.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Yountville, Napa Valley, California  |  100% Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Producer: Nickel & Nickel

Production & Heritage

Gil Nickel founded Nickel & Nickel as a sister estate to Far Niente, built around a singular philosophy: one vineyard, one varietal per bottling. State Ranch Vineyard sits on the Yountville valley floor on relatively rocky, well-drained soils in the center of the valley — a site now owned by renowned chef Thomas Keller. Nickel & Nickel selects fruit from only 11 to 14.5 acres of the 23-acre property, a rigorous block selection that yields concentrated, site-specific fruit. The 2019 was aged for 14 months in French oak barrels, 50% of which were new, giving the wine measured oak influence without overwhelming its vineyard character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with pure cassis and blackcurrant, followed by textbook lead pencil shavings and chalky mineral. Delicate hints of sage, dried earth, and tobacco develop with time in the glass.

Taste: Black cherry and blueberry arrive on the entry, building to a full-bodied mid-palate of stewed blackcurrant and toffee. The structure is supported by softly dusty tannins that provide grip without astringency. At peak, the wine reveals layers of smoked meat, walnut, and subtle spice.

Finish: The finish is long and layered, with lingering notes of dark fruit, mineral, and fine-grained oak. A persistent savory thread ties together the fruit and earthy elements as they slowly recede.

How to Drink State Ranch Cabernet

This Cabernet drinks beautifully on its own at cellar temperature (60–65°F) and benefits from 30 to 60 minutes of decanting to fully open the aromatics. It has the weight and tannic structure to reward patience, but the 2019 vintage is accessible now. Pair with grilled ribeye — the smoky char amplifies the wine's savory undertones. Braised lamb shank with rosemary mirrors the sage and herbal notes. A classic beef bourguignon allows the wine's black fruit and earthy complexity to integrate seamlessly with the dish.

Best For

• Cellaring for 5–10 years to develop additional complexity and tertiary character
• Gifting a serious Napa Valley wine collector who values single-vineyard provenance
• Anchoring a special dinner built around grilled or braised red meat
• Celebrating milestones with a critically acclaimed Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon

Frequently Asked Questions

What does State Ranch Cabernet 2019 taste like? It delivers concentrated cassis and black cherry fruit layered with lead pencil, chalky mineral, tobacco, and subtle oak spice, framed by softly dusty tannins and a long, savory finish.

How does State Ranch compare to Kapcsándy State Lane Vineyard Cabernet? Both wines source from historic Yountville vineyard sites with well-drained soils, but Nickel & Nickel's State Ranch tends toward a more classically structured, mineral-driven profile at a comparatively lower price tier. Kapcsándy's estate bottlings are typically more limited in production and command significantly higher prices.

Is State Ranch Cabernet good for sipping on its own? This is a wine built for contemplative drinking, with enough complexity, structural balance, and aromatic depth to reward slow, attentive sipping with or without food.

Where is State Ranch Cabernet made? The fruit comes from State Ranch Vineyard in Yountville, a sub-appellation in the heart of Napa Valley, California. The wine is produced by Nickel & Nickel, whose winery is located in the nearby Oakville district.

What foods pair well with State Ranch Cabernet? Grilled ribeye steak highlights the wine's full-bodied structure. Braised short ribs complement its savory, smoky undertones. Aged Gruyère or Comté cheese echoes the mineral and nutty notes. Herb-crusted lamb rack mirrors the sage and earthy aromatics. Dark chocolate with sea salt plays off the cassis and toffee elements.

What sizes does State Ranch Cabernet come in? The standard release is available in 750ml bottles.

Is State Ranch Cabernet worth the price? This wine positions as a premium single-vineyard Napa Cabernet, and earning 94 points from three independent critics — Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Jeb Dunnuck, and James Suckling — places it among the strongest values in its tier for Yountville-sourced, site-specific fruit.

Why State Ranch?

State Ranch Vineyard is one of Yountville's most storied sites, and Nickel & Nickel's rigorous block selection — drawing from roughly half of the available acreage — results in a wine of unusual focus and purity. The 2019 vintage's simultaneous 94-point scores from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Jeb Dunnuck, and James Suckling confirm its standing as a benchmark Yountville Cabernet. Aged in 50% new French oak for 14 months, the wine threads the line between power and restraint in a way that defines the appellation's valley-floor character. For collectors and drinkers seeking single-vineyard Napa Cabernet with documented critical acclaim and a vineyard pedigree tied to one of the valley's most iconic sites, this bottling consistently delivers.