CARTER CELLARS
2017 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
FORTUNA VINEYARD
OAKVILLE | NAPA VALLEY
When Sherri and Mark Carter stopped by to taste us on his 2017’s, they were everything that you would expect (and more) from a Cult producer.
Across the board, the wines had breathtaking elegance, escalating power, and surreal-level balance. These are absolutely some of the greatest examples of the 2017 vintage, and they’re a joy to behold.
Carter Winery is the concomitant of Mark Carter’s historic Carter House hotel, and his Grand Award winning wine list, and it was at a wine dinner at the hotel where he met Nils Venge, who later became his inaugural winemaker.
The wines are now made by powerhouse winemaker Mike Smith and the quality has not skipped a beat. Mike is another of those winemakers making top quality wines that learned their craft under Thomas Rivers Brown at Outpost.
The 2017 Oakville Fortuna Vineyard was a stand-out, which originates from a site that Turnbull put on the map when their 2010 earned a perfect 100 Point score.
The Fortuna Vineyard rests at the base of the Vaca Mountains, and flanks icons Plumpjack and Groth. The site has ancient red volcanic soils and alluvial cobblestone, which permeate hedonistic qualities into this remarkable expression of Oakville Cabernet.
If you enjoy some of the best wines that Napa Valley has to offer, you absolutely won’t want to miss this release.
CARTER CELLARS
2017 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
FORTUNA VINEYARD
OAKVILLE | NAPA VALLEY
Members’ price: $105 per bottle
From JebDunnuck.com, “The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Fortuna Vineyard comes from a mix of clone 337 and clone 4 of Cabernet Sauvignon and was brought up all in barrel. It has a gravelly, earthy minerality as well as medium to full body, a focused, tight vibe on the palate, and classy notes of plums, spice, and graphite. It’s a beautiful wine, and as Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon goes, a smoking value! Drink it any time over the coming 10-15 years.”
94 Points
From Antonio Galloni’s Vinous, “The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Fortuna Vineyard is a gorgeous, racy wine loaded with dark red/purplish fruit, lifted floral notes and expressive, sweet spice from the oak. The Fortuna stands out in this range for its mid-weight structure, sensual personality and bright floral notes. Like all of these wines, the Fortuna is rich, supple and textured, but it is not quite as big as some of the other wines in the range. Once again, the Fortuna is a real winner among Carter’s offerings.”
93 Points
NOTE: All wines offered for sale on this website are sold through our affiliate and fulfillment partner, Wine Country Connection.
Customers that enjoy the Carter Fortuna Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, may also enjoy these two outstanding Cabs…
GROTH
2016 ESTATE RESERVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $150
Members price: $139.99
From Wine Spectator, “This delivers a very tightly focused, almost piercing beam of cassis, raspberry coulis and bitter cherry fruit, scored with singed alder and iron notes. Incense and tobacco details chime in on the finish. Long and refined, with the fruit leaving a sweet and mouthwatering echo. Best from 2022 through 2038.“
96 Points, #4 Top 100 Wines of 2019 -WS
HOLLYWOOD AND VINE
2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
“2480”
NAPA VALLEY
Members price: $89 per bottle
Crafted by renowned Napa winemaker, Celia Welch, whom you might recognize from making wines for iconic brands such as Scarecrow, Buccella, D.R. Stephens, Keever, Dalla Valle, & Staglin.
Winery Notes: “Dark, jammy notes of cranberry, plum and cherry combine with subtle hints of cedar, smoke and mocha in this exceedingly complex Cabernet. On the palate, the wine is round and satiny at entry with bright cherry flavors and the vibrancy of fresh plums. Darker notes of tobacco, spice and mocha build in the finish.“
