Another round of wine scores released in April by Wine Spectator and James Suckling included several Tamber Bey wines, reinforcing our reputation for consistency in quality and wine-making style of these terroir-driven wines.
Wine Spectator gave our 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon from the estate-owned Deux Chevaux Vineyard a 93 rating, describing it as, “A dense, winey Cab, with an alluring whiff of alder smoke weaving around a dense and polished core of cassis, plum reduction and blackberry puree flavors. A solid graphite spine and a late tug of warm earth fill out the finish.”
Every release of this wine that has been rated since the 2014 vintage has earned at least one score of 91 or higher. (The 2017 vintage was not scored and Tamber Bey did not produce a 2020 vintage wine, due to the fires.) Because Tamber Bey has been producing this wine as a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon since the 2016 vintage, this is meaningful because it underscores it as being terroir-driven, with year-over-year consistency. From the first vintage in 2001 to the 2015 vintage, this wine was blended with 10%-20% Merlot, also from the Deux Chevaux Vineyard. The 2005 vintage was featured in Wine Spectator magazine in an article that named Tamber Bey as one of the up-and-coming Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon producers to watch.
A surprise score from Wine Spectator was a 90 for our 2021 Sabino. This Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Franc (77%), Merlot (13%), and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%), all from the Deux Chevaux Vineyard in Yountville, is produced exclusively for Tamber Bey’s Eqwine Club members in limited quantities—typically 95 to 135 cases—and therefore has never been previously submitted for scoring. Wine Spectator says of this wine, “Shows a solid black cherry core, with hints of sweet tobacco and warm humus. Sleek, fresh and polished through the finish.” Tamber Bey typically submits wines that have a broader reach, as good scores are an effective marketing tool. The 2021 Sabino was submitted on a whim, just to see if Wine Spectator would rate it.
James Suckling selected one Signature Collection wine from each of the Napa Valley Appellations that Tamber Bey produces wine from to rate. This is a boon for the winery, as this demonstrates not only diversity but also consistency in winemaking within that diversity. Additionally, two of the vineyards are estate-owned, the Deux Chevaux Vineyard in Yountville and the Estate Vineyard in Oakville.
Suckling awarded a 92 to the Bordeaux-style blend, Vermejo, describing it: “Mulberries, spiced cherries, dried herbs and bark on the nose follow through to a full body with firm tannins. Solid with a dense core of berries and dark chocolate and a textural, compact finish.” Although excellent as a current release, Suckling suggested cellaring the wine until after 2025. This blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot is undeniably cellar-worthy. 190 cases produced.
The 2021 vintage of Tamber Bey’s flagship 2021 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon earned a 92 from Suckling, who wrote: “Blackcurrants and blackberries with hints of eucalyptus, walnuts and cedar on the nose. Full-bodied with firm but polished tannins and a smooth, lengthy aftertaste. Delicious fruit coming through.” Like the Vermejo, Suckling recommends cellaring this wine. 194 cases produced.
The 2021 Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon is the first vintage of this wine produced by Tamber Bey with the vineyard designation Jericho Canyon Vineyard. Because winemaker of record Derek Flegal had a relationship with Jericho Canyon Vineyard’s owners, Tamber Bey was able to source a small quantity of fruit from this pre-Prohibition site, enough to produce 165 cases. The vineyard is planted on steep terraces in the shadow of the Palisades. Extreme diurnal swings in temperature, along with volcanic, gravely clay loam Boomer soils, produce intense Cabernet Sauvignon fruit. Flegal fermented some of the fruit in whole clusters in new French oak barrels.
James Suckling awarded this wine a 93: “This is dark-fruited, with lots of spice, nutshell, bark and cigar box notes. Full-bodied and chewy with a velvety texture to its tannins. Broad with a deep core of fruit and long finish. Structured and powerful.” Suckling recommends cellaring until 2027.
