Salvestrin Three D Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Salvestrin Three D Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 is a barrel-select 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Helena, Napa Valley, bottled at 14.8% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 94 points by Wine Advocate, this 2013 vintage represents a stringent selection of only the top barrels from Salvestrin's estate vineyard — typically just 8 to 12 barrels from the entire production make the final cut each year.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.8%  |  Origin: St. Helena, Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2013  |  Winery: Salvestrin Winery

Production & Heritage

Salvestrin Winery is a family-owned estate in St. Helena, one of Napa Valley's most storied appellations for Cabernet Sauvignon. The Three D bottling is not simply a reserve label — it is a barrel selection program in which the winery's finest Cabernet lots are evaluated at multiple intervals during aging, with only the most exceptional 8 to 12 barrels chosen for the final blend. The 2013 was aged entirely in new French oak barrels, a regimen that contributes structure and seasoning without masking the site's inherent character. The result is a full-bodied, 100% varietal wine that showcases the power and concentration of a warm St. Helena vintage.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with high-intensity mocha and freshly picked dark cherries, followed by layers of kir (blackcurrant liqueur) and a cedar-graphite undertone imparted by new French oak. Subtle vanilla emerges as the wine breathes.

Taste: The entry is dense with ripe black plums and burly black cherry fruit, moving into a mid-palate laced with herbes de Provence and light baking spice. Full-bodied and generously ripe, the wine integrates its weight gracefully, delivering understated power rather than overt intensity.

Finish: Silky, fine-grained tannins carry the wine to a long, polished conclusion. Lingering notes of graphite, cedar, and dark fruit persist well after the last sip.

How to Drink Three D Cabernet

This is a wine built for the glass — serve it at cellar temperature (60–65°F) after decanting for 30 to 60 minutes to allow the dense fruit and oak integration to fully unfold. At over a decade from vintage, the 2013 is drinking in a rewarding window where primary fruit and developing secondary complexity coexist. While not a cocktail wine, it pairs superbly with rich cuisine at the table.

Best For

• Gifting a serious Napa Valley Cabernet collector
• Anchoring a vertical tasting of Salvestrin's Three D program
• Pairing with a prime-cut steak dinner or holiday roast
• Cellaring alongside other high-scoring 2013 Napa Cabernets for future comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Three D Cabernet taste like? The dominant profile is dense black cherry and plum fruit with mocha, cedar, and graphite complexity, finishing with silky, fine-grained tannins and herbal seasoning.

How does Three D compare to other St. Helena Cabernets? Three D distinguishes itself through its barrel-selection process, where only 8 to 12 barrels make the cut each vintage — giving it a level of concentration and refinement that sets it apart from standard estate bottlings in the appellation. Its 94-point Wine Advocate score places it among well-regarded St. Helena Cabernets from the acclaimed 2013 vintage.

Is Three D good for cellaring? Yes — the combination of 100% new French oak aging, full body, and structured tannins gave this wine significant aging potential at release, and the 2013 vintage continues to drink well with over a decade of bottle age.

Where is Three D made? Three D Cabernet Sauvignon is produced by Salvestrin Winery, a family estate located in St. Helena, in the heart of Napa Valley, California.

What foods pair well with Three D Cabernet? Grilled bone-in ribeye steak complements its dense fruit and tannin structure. Braised short ribs echo the wine's herbal complexity. Aged hard cheeses like Comté or Gruyère match its oak-driven richness. Dark chocolate desserts align with the mocha and black cherry notes. Herb-crusted lamb rack mirrors the herbes de Provence character found on the palate.

What sizes does Three D come in? The Salvestrin Three D Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Three D worth the price? Three D positions as a premium, limited-production Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon — only 8 to 12 barrels are selected per vintage. With a 94-point Wine Advocate rating and 100% new French oak aging, it delivers a level of concentration and critical recognition that competes favorably within the upper tier of Napa Cabernets.

Why Three D?

The Three D program is defined by ruthless barrel selection — not every vintage produces a large quantity, and only the best lots survive multiple rounds of evaluation during aging. The 2013 vintage, widely regarded as one of Napa Valley's strongest in recent memory, gave Salvestrin exceptional raw material to work with, and the 94-point Wine Advocate score confirms the result. Aged entirely in new French oak and bottled as a 100% varietal Cabernet, this is a wine that reflects both site and season with uncommon precision. For collectors seeking under-the-radar Napa Cabernet with genuine pedigree, the Three D remains a compelling find.