What Makes St. Helena Wine So Unique?
An AVA—American Viticultural Area—is more than a marked region on a map; it’s a hidden voice in the landscape, waiting to be uncovered. Each AVA offers its own rhythm of sun, soil, and climate—shaping the fruit and the story it tells. At Out of Sight, we seek out the AVAs that speak in whispers, not headlines—distinct pockets of Napa Valley where bold character lies just beneath the surface, waiting to be revealed.
Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Helena stands among Napa Valley’s most expressive and opulent offerings. Nestled in the northern heart of the valley, this AVA is known for its warm climate, abundant sunshine, and well-drained alluvial soils—ideal conditions for ripening Cabernet to its fullest potential. The warmth of the region yields plush, round tannins and a luxurious mouthfeel, while the valley floor and benchland vineyards impart structure and finesse. St. Helena Cabernets are bold yet balanced, approachable in their youth, but built to age gracefully. With every vintage, these wines offer a vivid expression of the land, capturing the radiant energy and power that define this storied corner of Napa Valley.
2023 St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting Notes
The 2023 St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon opens with an alluring aromatic profile of spicy white pepper and ripe black cherries, immediately expressing the bold character of this renowned AVA. On the palate, it offers a luscious, fruit-driven core. Juicy, vibrant, and layered with savory undertones that add depth and intrigue. The tannins are notably soft and rounded, lending the wine a supple texture and graceful finish that speaks to the warm, sun-soaked vineyards of St. Helena. With its seamless balance of spice, fruit, and finesse, this vintage is both approachable in its youth and reflective of the strength and elegance that define the region.
Varietal
97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Franc
MATURATION
French oak barrels for 14 months
Alc/Vol
14.5%
Winemaking
Our St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted with intention from vineyard to barrel, beginning with a cold soak at 55°F to gently extract color and aromatics. Fermentation unfolds slowly with a select yeast strain, allowing the wine to warm gradually and develop layered complexity. Gentle pumpovers guide the transformation of fruit into structure, while an extended maceration on the skins enhances depth, richness, and mouthfeel. After pressing, the wine completes malolactic fermentation in stainless steel to preserve purity before being aged in a combination of new and neutral French oak barrels. This thoughtful process highlights the bold, sun-ripened fruit of St. Helena while integrating supple tannins, refined texture, and a graceful finish. The result is a Cabernet Sauvignon that is both powerful and polished—an expressive reflection of the land from which it was born.