Ratings & Tasting Notes:

None Found.

Cult Wines International Notes:

The 1978 Ridge Vineyards York Creek Cabernet Sauvignon hails from a “comeback” year for California, following the severe drought of 1976 and 1977. This vintage is widely regarded as one of the most successful of the decade, benefiting from a wet spring that replenished the soils, followed by a long, warm growing season and a frantic heatwave just before harvest. These conditions allowed Paul Draper to craft a “large-scale” wine that combined the ripeness of the warm year with the natural, structural intensity of the Spring Mountain site. The 1978 blend is particularly notable for its inclusion of approximately 5% Merlot (a slightly higher percentage than some previous years), which added a layer of plushness to the mountain-grown fruit.

Decades later, the 1978 York Creek is often described as a “wow” bottle that has aged with more vigor and sweetness than the leaner 1976. It presents a rich profile of smoky cedar, graphite, and leather, with a core of fruit that remains remarkably lively—showing notes of dried cherries, red plums, and a cooling hint of mint. On the palate, the tannins are utterly resolved and velvety, yet the wine maintains its presence through a medium-to-full body and a savory, persistent finish. For many enthusiasts, this vintage represents a perfect intersection of California’s historic sunshine and the refined, claret-like balance that made Ridge a global benchmark for Napa Cabernet.

Bottle Size:

750 mL

Storage History:

Always stored on its side in a climate-controlled cellar.

Condition:

Please note: The bottle shown is the exact bottle being sold.

Outstanding condition.