2019 Carter Cellars Fortuna Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Carter Cellars Winery in Napa Valley

Carter Cellars is one of Napa Valley's most respected boutique wineries. The estate was founded in 1998 by Mark Carter, a passionate winemaker with a keen eye for top vineyards. The wines are crafted in collaboration with renowned winemakers such as Mike Smith, and since 2021, Russell Bevan. Carter Cellars' style is known for its power, concentration, and finesse—classic Napa Cabernet with a modern sense of balance.

Carter Cellars' vineyards are spread across some of Napa Valley's most prestigious appellations, including Oakville, Rutherford, and St. Helena. Each cuvée is a meticulous expression of its origin, emphasizing terroir and precision. Produced in small quantities, the wines are beloved by connoisseurs and collectors worldwide.

the Fortuna Vineyard

The Fortuna Vineyard is located in the heart of Oakville, right at the foot of the Mayacamas Mountains. This location combines the best of both worlds: the strength and richness of the valley and the structure and tension of the mountain fruit. The soil consists of clay, gravel, and volcanic rock, which ensures optimal drainage and deep rooting for the vines.

The vineyard benefits from a perfect microclimate: warm, sunny days and cool nights. This produces grapes with ripe fruit, firm tannins, and vibrant acidity—the foundation for Cabernet Sauvignons with complexity and elegance. Year after year, the Fortuna Vineyard produces some of Carter Cellars' most expressive wines.

carter cellars fortuna vineyard cabernet sauvignon 2019

The 2019 vintage is a magnificent expression of Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine combines power and refinement with layered aromas and a long, energetic finish. As with all Carter wines, it is a blend of precision and intensity, with every detail in the vinification focused on balance and depth.

harvest and vinification

2019 was a near-ideal vintage in Napa Valley. Spring was cool, summer stable, and harvest took place under dry conditions. The grapes were hand-picked, carefully sorted, and fermented in small batches. The wine was then aged in French oak barriques, many of them new, to enhance its structure and complexity without losing its freshness.

The Fortuna Vineyard Cabernet 2019 is a wine that combines power with precision: rich, deep, and simultaneously elegant. It's all about the balance between ripeness, structure, and freshness.

color, smell and taste

In the glass, the wine displays a deep, almost opaque purple color. The nose is intense and complex, with aromas of black fruit, dark chocolate, leather, cloves, licorice, and a hint of sage. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and velvety, with lush tannins and a core of ripe cassis, black cherry, and cedar. The texture is rich yet perfectly balanced by vibrant acidity and a mineral note.

The finish is long, powerful, and elegant, with notes of cocoa, spice, and a subtle hint of vanilla. This is a Cabernet with length, depth, and a bright future.

review by Vinous (Antonio Galloni)

The 2019 Carter Cellars Fortuna Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon received 95 points from Vinous (Antonio Galloni). He described the wine as "stellar" and praised the Fortuna as "one of the best wines in the range for its mix of quality and price in the realm of high-end Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon." Galloni noted aromas of black fruit, chocolate, herbs, leather, licorice, and sage, concluding that this is "a classic Oakville Cabernet from the valley floor." The wine combines power, depth, and finesse at an exceptional level. (Published October 2021 in *The 2019 Napa Valley Cabernets: A Deep Dive*.)

store and serve

The wine is still young and will reach its peak from 2025 to around 2039. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees Celsius after decanting for at least an hour. This allows the wine to fully reveal its complexity.

Would you like to order Carter Cellars wines online?

If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you these when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pickup" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, just off the A16 motorway with ample parking. Click here for our address. You can read the full wine reviews from publications including Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator.

Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.

wine and food pairings

• Grilled ribeye with rosemary and sea salt – the juicy texture of the meat complements the powerful tannins perfectly.
• Rack of lamb with thyme and garlic – the spiciness and fat of the lamb are balanced by the rich fruitiness of the wine.
• Wild boar stew with dark chocolate and juniper berries – a deep, savoury combination that accentuates the dark notes in the wine.
• Grilled portobello with balsamic vinegar and rosemary – the earthy flavours enhance the spiciness of the wine.
• Beef carpaccio with truffle and Parmesan cheese – the refined acidity keeps the dish elegant and balanced.
• Mature cheddar or blue cheese – the salty, ripe character perfectly complements the intensity of this Cabernet.