2016 Hoopes Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville 750 ml

We’ve long called Hoopes Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon the best deal going in the Napa Valley.

Little did we know the Hoopes Family’s 2016 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon would come along and top it.

Here’s why. 

Hoopes’ Napa Valley Cabernet, an all-time Wine Access favorite, comprises fruit from various sources there, but its core comes from the family’s Oakville property. This priceless 10-acre piece of land sits in one of the most coveted spots in the Valley, across Highway 29 from To Kalon—the site that supplies Opus One, among other greats—and just a stone’s throw from $300 Cardinale. 

This is the Park Avenue of Napa Valley, and for as long as we’ve been in business with Hoopes, we’ve wanted a shot at their estate-grown Oakville Cabernet. But despite our runaway success with the brand, despite our wonderful relationship with proprietor Lindsay Hoopes, it never happened.

Until now. We scored an allocation not only of Hoopes’ Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, but one from the 2016 season, which Wine Advocate rated 98 points—the best score they’ve ever given a Napa Valley vintage. Aged patiently at the winery since that phenomenal year, this wine is drinking absolutely perfectly right now. 

The 2016 Oakville Cab is sourced from the family’s home vineyard, just like the first Hoopes-branded wines were. “This is the wine that smells like home to me,” Lindsay said of the estate Cab. “This is what Cabernet from Oakville should be.” Deep ruby-red, with aromas of lush black fruit accented by violets and pencil shavings, and a palate of black fruit built on well-knit tannins, it’s hitting its stride right now—a phenomenal bottle that does its provenance proud.