Titus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Titus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 is a Napa Valley red wine bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. This five-varietal Bordeaux-style blend earned a 93-point rating on Wine Searcher's aggregated critics score and 92 points from James Suckling, who praised its silky tannins and long, flavorful finish.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2013  |  Producer: Titus Vineyards  |  Winemaker: Phillip Titus

Production & Heritage

Titus Vineyards is a family-owned estate in Napa Valley led by winemaker Phillip Titus. The 2013 vintage draws from the family's Estate Reserve vineyard on Ehlers Lane, where thin, gravelly soil over hard volcanic ash and a stony, dry streambed produce naturally low yields of intensely concentrated fruit — planted entirely to Cabernet Sauvignon clone 337. The final blend is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, reflecting the winery's founding philosophy that artful blending of varietals creates a more complete wine with superior expression of grape, vintage, and region.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with bright red cherry and blackberry jam before shifting into floral tones of lilac and violet. Deeper layers reveal graphite and fresh sage, adding complexity beyond the initial fruit.

Taste: The palate enters with dark red cherry and damson plum, moving through a mid-palate of brûléed mocha custard and macerated strawberry. Full-bodied and richly textured, the wine carries well-integrated tannins alongside a subtle clove spice that ties the fruit and oak elements together.

Finish: The finish is long and silky, with lingering notes of currant, graphite, and a gentle toasty spice. Tannins remain refined through the close, leaving a clean, structured impression.

How to Drink Titus Cab 2013

This wine is best served at 60–65°F, ideally after 30–60 minutes of decanting to open the decade-old structure. A large-bowled Bordeaux glass allows the complex aromatics to develop fully. Pair it with grilled lamb chops rubbed with rosemary, slow-braised short ribs in red wine reduction, or aged hard cheeses like a 24-month Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Best For

• Gifting a Napa Valley wine collector exploring mature vintages
• Serving as the centerpiece red at a steak dinner
• Adding aged Napa Cabernet depth to a personal cellar
• Marking a special anniversary or milestone from 2013

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Titus Cab 2013 taste like? It delivers dark cherry, damson plum, and mocha custard flavors supported by silky, well-integrated tannins and a long finish with graphite and clove spice. The wine is medium to full-bodied with over a decade of bottle age softening its structure.

How does Titus Cab 2013 compare to Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are established Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons, but Titus uses a distinctive five-varietal Bordeaux blend (76% Cabernet Sauvignon with Malbec, Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc) rather than a higher-percentage Cabernet bottling. The Titus estate also farms notably infertile volcanic soils on Ehlers Lane, which contributes to lower yields and more concentrated fruit character.

Is Titus Cab 2013 good for sipping neat? Yes — with over ten years of bottle age, the tannins have softened considerably, making this an excellent wine for drinking on its own. Decanting for 30–60 minutes further enhances its layered aromatics.

Where is Titus Cab 2013 made? Titus Vineyards is located in Napa Valley, California, with key fruit sourced from the family's Estate Reserve vineyard on Ehlers Lane, a site defined by stony streambeds and volcanic ash soils.

What foods pair well with Titus Cab 2013? Grilled ribeye steak benefits from the wine's tannic structure and dark fruit. Braised lamb shanks echo its savory depth. Aged Gouda or Gruyère complement the mocha and spice notes. Dark chocolate desserts with cherry or berry elements mirror the wine's fruit profile. Mushroom risotto aligns with the earthy, graphite-tinged finish.

What sizes does Titus Cab 2013 come in? The Titus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Titus Cab 2013 worth the price? Titus positions as a premium, family-estate Napa Cabernet Sauvignon — not entry-level, but well below the ultra-premium cult tier. A 93-point aggregated critics score and the rarity of a well-stored 2013 vintage add meaningful value for collectors and drinkers seeking aged Napa Cabernet without trophy-wine pricing.

Why Titus Cab 2013?

What separates this wine from the crowded field of Napa Cabernets is the combination of site specificity and blending ambition. The volcanic ash and gravel soils of the Ehlers Lane vineyard naturally restrict yields, concentrating the Cabernet Sauvignon clone 337 fruit that forms the wine's backbone. The decision to blend in four additional Bordeaux varietals — particularly a generous 14% Malbec — adds textural richness and aromatic complexity that a mono-varietal bottling would lack. With a 93-point aggregated score and over a decade of bottle maturation, the 2013 vintage represents an increasingly rare opportunity to drink a properly aged Napa Valley red at its peak.