94 Points — Decanter
Critics are calling the 2023 Napa Valley vintage—including high-elevation appellations exceptional, highly consistent "legend in the making" with balance, structure, and freshness.
Crafted by winemaker Robert Smith (Philippe Melka’s right-hand man and the talent behind Quintessa, Seven Stones, and Covert Estate), this is what Napa mountain Cabernet looks like when absolutely everything goes right in an epic vintage.
Food Pairings
The Classic: Charred Ribeye or Filet Mignon with Herb Butter · Slow-Braised Beef Short Ribs or Osso Buco · Wild Mushroom & Truffle Risotto · Aged Hard Cheeses (Aged Gouda, Aged Cheddar, or Manchego)
Winemaker
Since 2011, Robert Smith has served as Estate Winemaker at Quixote Winery in the Stags Leap District, where working alongside consulting winemaker Philippe Melka, he has built a reputation for Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah of precision and structural depth. His approach is old-world in its patience — long macerations, meticulous barrel selection across multiple cooperages, and no bottling before the wine is ready. His work with Delectus represents a return to mountain fruit, and to the kind of site-driven winemaking that shaped his palate from the beginning.
Vintage
Wine Spectator rates the 2023 Napa Cabernet vintage with a preliminary score range of 94–97 points, describing it as a growing season shaped by a wet winter followed by a steady, dry, and cool climate.Growing Season & Character. A wet winter replenished water supplies, leading into a steady, dry, and cool growing season. Mountain-grown Cabernets from appellations like Howell Mountain (sitting above the 1,400-foot elevation line) benefit from these cooler, steady conditions, typically yielding distinctive, structured wines with bright fruit and fine tannins.
Varietal: 100% Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Howell Mountain, Diamond Mountain District, Mount Veeder
Winemaking: Clean & Sustainable, Hand-Harvested, Small Lot Production
Aging: 26 months, 70% new French oak
Alcohol: 14.6%
93 Points
Aromas of blackcurrant, dark plum, and cedar unfold alongside soft notes of vanilla and toasted oak. On the palate, structured tannins frame layers of black cherry, baking spice, and a subtle herbal lift from the Merlot blended beneath the Cabernet's backbone. Medium-bodied gem with good concentration yet balanced with poise, finishing long and warm, with lingering impressions of cocoa and dried fig.
