The story of Quilt begins with winemaker Joseph “Joey” Wagner working alongside his father at age 19. Joey’s father, Chuck Wagner, is the patriarch at legendary Napa Valley winery Caymus.
Having experienced the early days of California winemaking, back before winemakers were practically celebrities, Joey’s roots lie in good old-fashioned farming and field maintenance. This attention to detail shows through well in his wines.
While Joey is most well-known for his Pinot Noirs, notably Belle Glos and Meiomi (prior to selling the brand to Constellation), his Cabernets are great examples of modern California winemaking.
I have joked on more than one occasion that the family has a “fingerprint” when it comes to their wines. A certain house style, if you will. Fans of the aforementioned wines will find a lot to love in this bottle.
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Quilt Grace of the Land Cabernet Sauvignon Review
While many people have heard of or tried Quilt Cabernet, this offering is a bit rarer.
Between the relative scarcity of the bottle and the signature wax-dipped top, it may seem like a lot of effort to get into a bottle of this wine.
Just know that the effort is well-rewarded for those who wrap their lips around a glass of it.
The wine undergoes numerous blind tastings and an extensive aging process prior to bottling. The lots are hand-selected vintage by vintage for the final blend, which is 100% Napa Valley Cabernet.
After selection, the Cabernet lots are aged in French oak barrels. 70% of these barrels are unused oak.
Quilt Grace of the Land Cabernet Sauvignon
- Brand: Quilt
- Country: United States
- Region: Napa Valley
- Wine Type: Red Wine
- Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
- ABV: 15.1%
Appearance
The wine is a deep garnet in color and sits heavily in the glass. Legs are incredibly fast to form and drift slowly down the glass.
Smell
Pomegranate, overripe blackberries and wild cherries fill the nose. Complimenting the fruit are notes of rich baking spices, vanilla, and oak.
Clove, cinnamon, and cardamom are standout spices. These lend a lovely richness to the aroma of the wine.
Taste
This is an incredibly full-bodied Cabernet. It is unapologetically rich and unctuous. High residual sugar, overripe fruit, and rich new oak dominate the palate.
Next, Cherry liqueur, coffee, and milk chocolate come bursting forward. After that, waves of vanilla, spice, and cedar round out the flavor of the wine.
The finish is incredibly long and sits on your tongue for what feels like minutes after your first sip.
These minutes feel like an eternity of being wrapped in a blanket of fresh, jammy fruit in the best way possible!
What Does Quilt Grace of the Land Cabernet Sauvignon Pair With?
Options here are plentiful. Bacon-wrapped filet mignon. Charred pork tenderloin. Camembert and brie cheeses. Every one of these is a fantastic option to reach for when you pop this bottle.
I also absolutely love this wine with chocolate-covered cherries or a cheesecake covered in blackberry sauce if I am in the mood for something a bit more decadent.
What Are Wines That Are Similar to Quilt Grace of the Land Cabernet Sauvignon?
The obvious answer here would be Chuck Wagner’s flagship wine, Caymus.
They are similar in price, similar in style, and similar in flavor. I also really like Kirk Venge’s wines for this style. Hunnicut, Trespass, and Scout’s Honor all jump to mind as excellent options in this style.
You could also try some more everyday-priced bottles. I would say reaching for a bottle of the original Quilt Cabernet would be a solid option.
You could also try Meiomi Pinot Noir, Bonanza Cabernet Sauvignon, or Austin Cabernet Sauvignon.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for grippy tannin, acidity, or lots of structure, this may not be your new favorite bottle.
But if you want an intense, elegant, plush wine that is great for sharing, you are in the right neighborhood with this bad boy. It is certainly worth a try, in my opinion.