2015 Cabernet Sauvignon

My most recent visit to Mayacamas was quite poignant. The devastating effects of the October 2017 fires were visible throughout the property. Just a few pieces of wall remain of the main building where I once tasted with the team. I still remember sampling the young 2017s last September. The vintage seemed so promising back then. And then everything changed just a few weeks later. Back to the present, though. These new and upcoming releases are simply stunning. The Chardonnays are unique wines with tons of mountain structure, while the 2015 Merlot offers more immediacy than most Mayacamas wines. And then there are the Cabernets. Both vintages I tasted are stratospheric. Winemaker Braiden Albrecht and Consulting Winemaker Andy Erickson are doing brilliant work in restoring Mayacamas to its place as one of Napa Valley's elite properties. These wines are positively stunning.

I stopped by Mayacamas in September, 2017 and tasted a number of wines with Estate Manager Jimmy Hayes and Winemaker Andy Erickson. A few weeks later, the property was engulfed by fire that destroyed portions of the property, including the room where I have always tasted. In addition to these bottles and barrel samples, I also sampled several 2017s that held much promise. The future of those wines and some of the wines in the cellar is now uncertain. That is a real shame, as Mayacamas has been on a roll over the last few years. On a more positive note, these bottled wines are all exceptional.

I only tasted a few wines during my recent visit to Mayacamas, but they were all outstanding. The new team has made significant progress since taking over in 2013 while honoring the estate's legacy. It is easy to forget the dismay with which the acquisition of Mayacamas was initially greeted. At the time, many observers feared the new owners would destroy the old-school style that has made these wines so adored. Now, a few years later, it is evident that the new team headed by Winemaker Andy Erickson and Estate Director Jimmy Hayes has taken quality to a new level while keeping the house style intact. For decades, Mayacamas has been one of the most fairly priced Cabernets in the market. My expectation is that prices for these wines will soon go up, perhaps dramatically. For that reason, I advise Vinous readers to stock their cellars now, before that happens.