The 27 Best Cabernet Sauvignons of 2023, 2019 Smith Story Wine Cellars Pickberry Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, 92pts. Husband and wife team Eric Story & Alison Smith-Story loved wine, eloped in Hawaii, conceived of a wine venture. These Texas and Bay area natives headed to Northern California and the rest is history (the story on their website is awesome). How a Cabernet Sauvignon can be almost 15% alcohol but still have blousy fruit due to wonderful, active acidity is just mind boggling. Eric and Alison Story did it. The nose has earthy, savory blackberry and pepper. On the palate the wine is so juicy and delicious with vibrant fruit and a lithe tannin structure that is like a spotter in the gym, just carrying the wine along. What a success in balance.

Best Wineries: Smith Story Wine Cellars, Healdsburg, California

Dallas Wine Chick: The Community of Smith Story Wine Cellars, an interview with Ali Story

San Francisco Chronicle: “California wineries can’t make enough of this suddenly-popular grape”,  featuring Smith Story Sauvignon Blanc. 1/18/23 Jess Lander

VINEPAIR:  Smith Story Wine Cellars Helluva Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019 Review, 92pts.
Husband and wife team Eric Story & Alison Smith-Story’s…story is so storied it won’t fit in a review, so please go to their website and marvel at their traveled wine experience. While you are there, just smash the buy button for this one. From the northern end of Cali’s wine-growing zones comes this chewy, quenching, and bright wine with earthy elegance and a good dollop of oak that does not, at all, take away from the grape’s inherent character. The mouthfeel is full of fruit and there is a bright lift from its natural acidity. There’s a kiss of oak woven into this wine that adds a nice complexity. 3/16/23, Keith Beavers