2018 Carter Cellars

2018 Carter Cellars
The wines from Carter Cellars have been some of my absolute favorites from Napa Valley over the past 4 vintages. We have been eagerly awaiting the release of the 2018’s for some time now. Thankfully the wait is now over-Aaron Zwicker
"The new 2018 releases from Carter Cellars and this is one stacked lineup of brilliant Cabernet from the team of Mark Carter and winemaker Mike Smith.”-Jeb Dunnuck


2018 Carter Cellars “Carter Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon $159.99
A killer effort, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Carter offers that rare, magical mix of opulence, power, elegant, and freshness that you rarely come across, offering a kaleidoscope-like array of crème de cassis, toasted spice, dried violets, blackberries, smoked tobacco, and a distinct sense of minerality, it’s a beast of a wine on the palate that somehow stays beautifully balanced, elegant, and seamless. It’s impossible to resist today yet should cruise for two decades.
Rated 99/100 Jeb Dunnuck


2018 Carter Cellars “La Bam” Las Piedras Vineyard Cabernet $179.99
From the same site, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard La Bam is nevertheless a different beast, showing a touch more elegance as well as polish in its tannins. Dense purple/plum-hued, it delivers rock star notes of blackcurrants, mulberries, plums, Asian spices, chocolate, and violets. Full-bodied and uber-concentrated, it still stays fresh and lively on the palate, with notable freshness, the elegant, seamless style that is the hallmark of this site, and a finish that won’t quit. It will probably merit a triple-digit rating in 3-5 years and keep for 30 years.
Rated 99/100 Jeb Dunnuck


2018 Carter Cellars Weitz Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon...$152.99
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Weitz Vineyard comes from a site in the northern part of the valley and more red, volcanic soils. It reminds me of the 2016 with its iron/iodine-like character as well as beautiful mulled red and black fruits, Asian spices, chocolate, and loamy earthy aromas and flavors. This big, rich, opulent beauty has sweet tannins, a rocking mid-palate, and a great finish. It’s already impossible to resist yet has two decades of longevity ahead of it.
Rated 96/100 Jeb Dunnuck
The deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Weitz Vineyard rocks up with ready-for-business scents of stewed plums, blackberry preserves, ripe blackcurrants and kirsch plus suggestions of bay leaves, pencil shavings and iron ore. Full-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-coating black fruit preserves layers with a black pepper and herbs undercurrent and sturdy frame of grainy tannins, finishing with an earthy lift.
Rated 94/100 Wine Advocate


2018 Carter Cellars Fortuna Vineyard...$112.99
One of the more forward wines in the lineup, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Fortuna Vineyard sports a deep purple hue as well a big bouquet of ripe plums, Asian spices, leafy herbs, and a touch of flowers. Full-bodied, beautifully balanced, and silky on the palate, it delivers plenty of richness and depth yet has a terrific weightless style. It picks up more structure with time in the glass, so don’t let its upfront charm fool you, it’s going to keep for 15+ years.
Rated 95/100 Jeb Dunnuck
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Fortuna Vineyard has a deep garnet-purple color and a gorgeous perfume of red roses, Ceylon tea and lavender over a core of cassis, blackberry pie and boysenberries plus hints of unsmoked cigars, fragrant earth and bouquet garni. Full-bodied, the palate shimmers with beautiful energy and freshness, featuring crunchy black and blue fruits and a firm, grainy texture, finishing long and savory.
Rated 95+/100 Wine Advocate