Turnbull Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Turnbull Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 is a Napa Valley estate Cabernet blend at 14.7% ABV in a 750ml bottle, sourced from Oakville and Calistoga vineyards. This vintage earned 93 points from Vinous (Antonio Galloni), along with 92 points from Jeb Dunnuck and 91 points from Wine Enthusiast — a strong consensus across three respected critics that places it among the most reliable Napa Cabernets of the 2017 vintage.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.7%  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2017  |  Producer: Turnbull Wine Cellars

Production & Heritage

Turnbull Wine Cellars farms 145 acres of estate vineyards spanning two of Napa Valley's most prized sub-appellations: Oakville and Calistoga. The 2017 blend is composed of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Malbec — a Bordeaux-inspired assemblage that draws complexity from each variety's contribution. The wine was aged in 100% new French oak, a decision that speaks to the estate fruit's concentration and its ability to absorb and integrate that level of wood influence without losing varietal identity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Deep purple in the glass, the nose opens with ripe black fruits and scorched earth before revealing layers of crushed violets and spring flowers. There is an underlying warmth that suggests the wine's oak aging without overwhelming the fruit.

Taste: The palate delivers muddled ripe strawberries and boysenberries alongside creamy red cassis and spice box tones. Mid-palate, delicate herbes de Provence add savory complexity while weighty, expansive tannins fill the mouth. Acidity is well-calibrated, keeping the richness in check and giving the wine structure and lift.

Finish: Long and rewarding, with lingering blue and red fruit that slowly gives way to fine-grained oak spice. The tannins resolve smoothly, leaving a focused, balanced impression that invites another sip.

How to Drink Turnbull 2017

This Cabernet is best served at 60–65°F in a large-bowled glass. Decanting for 30 to 60 minutes opens up the aromatic layers and softens the tannin structure, though the wine drinks well without it. While primarily a bottle to enjoy on its own or alongside food, its fruit intensity and tannic backbone also make it a compelling base in wine-forward cocktails: a Cabernet Sangria built with stone fruit and citrus amplifies its berry character; a New York Sour (layered over bourbon) adds richness and color with serious depth; and a Kalimotxo, the Basque red wine and cola combination, pairs unexpectedly well with a wine of this weight and fruit concentration.

Best For

• Cellaring for special milestones — the 2017 vintage has the structure for medium-term aging
• Gifting a Napa Valley wine enthusiast who appreciates estate-grown Cabernet
• Pairing with a dry-aged steak dinner or holiday prime rib
• Adding a critic-acclaimed Napa Cab to a personal wine collection

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Turnbull 2017 taste like? It delivers ripe black and blue fruit — boysenberry, cassis, and dark currant — layered with spice box, herbal notes, and creamy oak. The tannins are expansive but well-integrated, with balancing acidity that keeps it structured rather than heavy.

How does Turnbull 2017 compare to Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are Napa Valley Cabernets with ripe fruit profiles and broad appeal, but Turnbull leans more structured with firmer tannins and savory herbal complexity from its Oakville and Calistoga estate fruit. Caymus tends toward a rounder, more fruit-forward and immediately approachable style.

Is Turnbull 2017 good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the wine's balance of fruit concentration, tannic structure, and oak integration makes it a compelling stand-alone pour, especially after a brief decant to let the aromatics fully develop.

Where is Turnbull 2017 made? Turnbull Wine Cellars produces this Cabernet Sauvignon exclusively from its 145 acres of estate vineyards located in the Oakville and Calistoga districts of Napa Valley, California.

What foods pair well with Turnbull 2017? Grilled ribeye steak brings out the wine's dark fruit and tannin; braised lamb shanks complement its herbal and earthy undertones; aged Gruyère or Comté cheeses echo its creamy texture; mushroom risotto highlights the savory, earthy notes; and dark chocolate with sea salt mirrors the wine's fruit depth and balanced richness.

What sizes does Turnbull 2017 come in? The standard release is available in a 750ml bottle.

Is Turnbull 2017 worth the price? Turnbull 2017 positions as a premium estate Napa Valley Cabernet. With 93 points from Vinous and consistent scores above 90 from multiple critics, it delivers strong value relative to other estate-grown, 100% new French oak-aged Napa Cabernets at similar price tiers.

Why Turnbull 2017?

The 93-point score from Antonio Galloni at Vinous, backed by 92 from Jeb Dunnuck and 91 from Wine Enthusiast, reflects a wine that performed at a high level across multiple critical palates — not just one favorable review. The 100% estate fruit from Oakville and Calistoga gives this bottling a site-specific character that blended, sourced Napa Cabernets rarely achieve. Aging entirely in new French oak is a bold production choice that demands exceptional raw material, and the 2017 vintage delivered the concentration to support it. For collectors and serious drinkers looking for a Napa Cabernet with provenance, critical validation, and drinking pleasure in one bottle, this vintage stands out.