2018 Zeitgeist Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 750 ml

Long before we met Jennifer Williams, we already knew her phenomenal wines. 

A master of pure, elegant Napa Cabernets, Williams has made her mark all over the Valley. She crafted multiple 100-pointers as the winemaker at Spottswoode and many gorgeous wines at Arrow & Branch and Pahlmeyer. 

Zeitgeist is Jennifer’s tiny-production passion-project Cabernet—and we have no doubt it’s a cult classic waiting in the wings. It’s made in such small quantities that only in-the-know Napa Valley locals—and visitors to places like The French Laundry, which has FIVE Zeitgeist wines on their list—will have the pleasure. 

Jennifer’s 2018 Zeitgeist Cabernet Sauvignon perfectly captures the magic of the vintage, thanks to her incredible talent and the sites that go into it. Sleeping Lady Vineyard, just south of Dominus, is getting heaps of attention and huge scores thanks to wineries like Kinsman Eades, Ad Vivum, and, of course, Zeitgeist. Lewelling Vineyard is on prime St. Helena benchland, not unlike Spottswoode, and farmed by a family of expert viticulturists. Farella Vineyard in Coombsville is a sweet-spot favored by Realm, and the century-plus-old Oakville Station—in the heart of the To-Kalon alluvial fan—is a secret weapon for many wineries.

As you already know, 2018 was a fabulous year for Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley. Antonio Galloni exclaimed, “There are so many 2018s that are simply mind-blowing. But what stands out most about the 2018s is their consistency. It is very hard to go wrong with a bottle of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.” This is a vintage that I’m loading up on, and wines like Zeitgeist are precisely why.

Simply put, this is a wine for connoisseurs who appreciate great craftsmanship and longevity.