At a glance

Producer

Crocker & Starr

Region

St. Helena, Napa Valley, California, USA

Grape variety

Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$80-$100

Tasting profile

Rich aromas of blackcurrant, black cherry, baking spices, cedar, and graphite with hints of violets and cocoa. Palate shows ripe dark fruit, supple texture, graphite minerality, and oak integration.

Evolution: Over time, primary fruit will mellow with tertiary notes of tobacco, dried herbs, earthy undergrowth, and leather developing, alongside increased textural refinement.

At peak: At peak, expect seamless integration of fruit, oak, and tertiary notes, with a silky, lingering finish—classic aged Napa Cabernet profile.

Structure

Acidity

Medium-plus, contributing to freshness and longevity

Tannins

Firm, ripe, finely polished—structural but not aggressive; suitable for aging

Alcohol

14.6%

Aging potential

Substantial—12-15 years from vintage in good storage conditions

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2024 to 2041

Optimal window

2022 to 2044

Current status

Excellent maturity with development, robust structure—can age further

Current condition

The wine is currently showing integrated tannins and developed secondary notes, but will continue to improve with 5-8 more years of cellaring.

2016 is an excellent Napa Valley vintage with structured wines and ample acidity. Crocker & Starr's RLC is built for moderate to extended cellaring, balancing ripe fruit with enough structure for complexity development. 2024-2032 is the peak drinking window based on critic reviews, producer intent, and vintage quality.

Food pairing

Excellent with grilled ribeye, dry-aged beef, lamb chops, wild mushroom risotto, truffled potato gratin, strong aged cheeses (e.g., aged cheddar, Comté), or robust vegetarian dishes like lentil stew.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — Opens up aromatics and softens youthful tannins, accentuating complexity and mouthfeel

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 8/10

Estate vineyards are certified sustainable. Extensive use of cover crops, biodiversity maintenance, careful water regulation (drip irrigation and monitoring), minimal chemical inputs, solar-powered winery operations, lightweight glass bottles used in certain cuvées, ongoing composting/recycling programs.

Crocker & Starr demonstrates above-average sustainability with third-party certifications (CCSW and FFF), vineyard stewardship, and renewable energy use. Small-batch production, direct-to-consumer focus, and sustainable packaging lower overall impact versus mass-market brands—solidly above average for premium California producers.