92pts Vinous

The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Affinity benefits from having been picked before the Glass Fire. Bright red-toned fruit, rose petal, dried flowers and blood orange lend energy to this exotic Napa Valley red from vineyards in Coombsville. There's a bit more Merlot than usual in this year's blend, and that works well for the wine's balance.

Tasting Notes

There was to be no second pass unfortunately due to the fires, so our 2020 Affinity production is tiny. You’ll find the signature Coombsville roasted coffee bean, anise, dusty cherry and a touch of cigar box rising from the glass and flowing in the center of the palate. This is an explosive wine that is a bit constrained on release. A number of months in a dark, quiet place will yield wonderful results. Affinity rarely gets the respect it deserves because of the price point, but it is truly one of the great collectibles released in the Napa Valley each year.

Winemaker's Notes

Affinity is an estate grown, single vineyard selection from La Londe Vineyard in Coombsville’s Mt. George foothills just south of Stag’s Leap. Our primary mission at Robert Craig Winery is to produce wines that feature pure site expression, and the soul of Affinity has always come from La Londe Vineyard, where the vines struggle in stony soils to yield a tiny 3.5 tons per acre with tremendous focus and intensity. Affinity is not an “entry level” Cabernet selection from our winery. It receives the same care and attention in the winery and vineyard as our mountain grown selections, yet the farming cost is lower due to the accessible nature of the site.

Blend: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 4% Malbec

Winery Notes

Robert Craig Winery showcases four Cabernet Sauvignons produced from Napa Valley mountain and hillside vineyards, including Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon from their estate vineyard, Affinity, a classic Bordeaux-style Cabernet, and powerhouse Cabernets from Mount Veeder and Spring Mountain. Each wine conveys a unique personality derived from the soils, climate and varietal characteristics of the growing region. Robert Craig has been a pioneer in mountain vineyard development for over 30 years. During the 1980s, he directed vineyard and winery development on Mount Veeder. Robert Craig wines debuted in 1992. The winery facility is located at 2300 feet atop Howell Mountain, with a Tasting Salon in Downtown Napa.

Vineyard Notes

Just south of Stag’s Leap, nestled in Coombsville’s Mt. George Foothills on the eastern side of the Napa Valley, our La Londe estate vineyard has produced exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon for our portfolio since Bob Craig purchased the property back in 1993. As a hillside, cane-pruned site that bears just 3.5 tons per acre, the 30-year-old vines allow a rare display of the volcanic, stony soils in the finished wines. Grapes are small, deeply black flavored, and undeniably racy with a big backbone of acidity.