1996 Bryant Family Vineyard

Cabernet Sauvignon

America / California / Napa Valley  / Pritchard Hill

¥122,000
RP 98
V 96
Size:
Quantity:

Availability: 1

1996 Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon – Hillside Power with Proven Longevity

The 1996 Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon stands as a defining example of early cult Napa Valley Cabernet. Sourced from steep hillside vineyards overlooking Lake Hennessey, this bottling reflects the estate’s focus on low yields, meticulous farming, and a style built for long-term aging rather than immediate approachability.

Tasting Notes

The aromatics show classic maturity, opening with blackcurrant, dried plum, graphite, and cigar box. On the palate, the wine remains structured and focused, with firm yet resolved tannins supporting layers of dark fruit, savory spice, and mineral tones. The finish is long and persistent, carrying freshness and depth that speak to the strength of the vintage and the vineyard’s hillside character.

Winemaking & Vineyard Details

This Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced entirely from estate vineyards planted on rocky, well-drained soils at elevation. Careful canopy management and restrained yields contribute to concentration and balance. Vinification emphasizes controlled extraction, followed by aging in French oak barrels to integrate structure while preserving site expression. The 1996 season produced wines of notable structure and aging potential.

Investment & Collectibility

Bryant Family Vineyard is firmly established among Napa Valley’s most collectible producers, with early vintages commanding strong interest on the secondary market. The 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon, now fully mature yet still holding energy, represents a compelling opportunity for collectors seeking benchmark hillside Napa wines.

Vintage Insights & Accolades

The 1996 Napa Valley vintage is recognized for producing structured, age-worthy Cabernets. At Bryant Family Vineyard, these conditions resulted in a wine praised for its discipline, depth, and longevity.


Explore Related Collections

RP 98

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Tasted at the winery from magnum, the mature 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon shows some garnet at the rim but is still nicely colored and impressively dark at the center. Scents of cherries and dried cherries are joined by hints of leather, mint, cigar box and chocolate—it smells lovely and evolved, like a mature Napa Cab should. In the mouth, it's full-bodied, soft and voluptuous, with a long, mouth-coating finish. Made by Helen Turley at the Napa Wine Company, from vines averaging just five years of age, it's a terrific wine that's still drinking well (at least from magnum) but should be consumed over the next several years. Reviewed by Joe Czerwinski, Issue date: June 2025. Drinking window: 2000 - 2030.
V 96

Vinous

(Rating: 96+). Saturated dark ruby. Extravagant, exotic aromas of crystallized dark berries, kirsch, violet, minerals, toffee and sexy, smoky oak; complex and compelling. Impossibly intense and concentrated in the mouth, but harmonious from the outset. Utterly explosive wine. Noble tannins spread over the entire palate. Reviewed by Stephen Tanzer, Issue date: May 1999. Drinking window: n/a.

Domestic Shipping

We currently ship to all U.S. states where the shipment of alcohol is legally permitted. Orders are fulfilled via UPS so please plan with their schedule

Orders placed Monday through Thursday before 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time typically ship the same day. Orders placed after 2:00 p.m. on Thursday through Sunday will ship the following Monday.

Same-day delivery may be available within the Los Angeles Metro area if placed before noon. Please contact us at (626) 714-7006 to arrange expedited local service.

Packaging & Warm/Cold Weather Shipping

To protect wine quality, all orders are packed in EPS foam shippers, with gel packs when necessary. During extreme hot and cold days, we recommend selecting Next Day Air service. If Ground shipping is selected during extreme temperatures, a signed waiver may be required to release us from liability due to temperature exposure.

For OWC (Original Wooden Case) orders, bottles are removed and shipped in foam for safety. The wooden case ships separately via Ground unless otherwise requested.

Weather Holds & Free Storage

In periods of extreme weather, we reserve the right to delay shipment until safe conditions return. If you request immediate shipment during such periods, you must confirm in writing and acknowledge that you waive any condition guarantees.

We also offer complimentary temperature-controlled storage for up to 6 months from the date of purchase. Select the “Hold for Weather” option at checkout and we will coordinate shipping at a later date.

Insurance

We provide free shipping insurance for loss or visible damage during transit, per carrier terms and conditions.

Adult Signature Required

All shipments of alcohol require an adult signature (21+) upon delivery. Carriers will not release packages without adult authorization. Additional charges may apply for re-delivery, redirection, or failed delivery attempts.

Shipping Address Accuracy

Orders are shipped to the exact shipping address provided at checkout. Angry Wine Merchant is not responsible for errors or omissions in the address submitted by the customer. If a package is delayed, returned, or misdelivered due to incorrect shipping details, the customer assumes full responsibility. Additional shipping fees may apply if re-shipment is required. By placing an order, you confirm that the shipping address entered is correct and agree to these terms.

States We Ship To

We ship to the following U.S. states:

Alabama (AL), Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ), Arkansas (AR), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Hawaii (HI), Idaho (ID), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Mississippi (MS), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), Nevada (NV), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico (NM), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), Ohio (OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), South Dakota (SD), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VA), Washington (WA), West Virginia (WV), Wisconsin (WI), Wyoming (WY)

*******************************

International Shipping

We do offer international shipping where legally allowed. For details, click here or contact us directly.

  • CRITICAL REVIEWS
  • WINEMAKER NOTES
RP 98

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Tasted at the winery from magnum, the mature 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon shows some garnet at the rim but is still nicely colored and impressively dark at the center. Scents of cherries and dried cherries are joined by hints of leather, mint, cigar box and chocolate—it smells lovely and evolved, like a mature Napa Cab should. In the mouth, it's full-bodied, soft and voluptuous, with a long, mouth-coating finish. Made by Helen Turley at the Napa Wine Company, from vines averaging just five years of age, it's a terrific wine that's still drinking well (at least from magnum) but should be consumed over the next several years. Reviewed by Joe Czerwinski, Issue date: June 2025. Drinking window: 2000 - 2030.
V 96

Vinous

(Rating: 96+). Saturated dark ruby. Extravagant, exotic aromas of crystallized dark berries, kirsch, violet, minerals, toffee and sexy, smoky oak; complex and compelling. Impossibly intense and concentrated in the mouth, but harmonious from the outset. Utterly explosive wine. Noble tannins spread over the entire palate. Reviewed by Stephen Tanzer, Issue date: May 1999. Drinking window: n/a.

1996 Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon – Hillside Power with Proven Longevity

The 1996 Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon stands as a defining example of early cult Napa Valley Cabernet. Sourced from steep hillside vineyards overlooking Lake Hennessey, this bottling reflects the estate’s focus on low yields, meticulous farming, and a style built for long-term aging rather than immediate approachability.

Tasting Notes

The aromatics show classic maturity, opening with blackcurrant, dried plum, graphite, and cigar box. On the palate, the wine remains structured and focused, with firm yet resolved tannins supporting layers of dark fruit, savory spice, and mineral tones. The finish is long and persistent, carrying freshness and depth that speak to the strength of the vintage and the vineyard’s hillside character.

Winemaking & Vineyard Details

This Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced entirely from estate vineyards planted on rocky, well-drained soils at elevation. Careful canopy management and restrained yields contribute to concentration and balance. Vinification emphasizes controlled extraction, followed by aging in French oak barrels to integrate structure while preserving site expression. The 1996 season produced wines of notable structure and aging potential.

Investment & Collectibility

Bryant Family Vineyard is firmly established among Napa Valley’s most collectible producers, with early vintages commanding strong interest on the secondary market. The 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon, now fully mature yet still holding energy, represents a compelling opportunity for collectors seeking benchmark hillside Napa wines.

Vintage Insights & Accolades

The 1996 Napa Valley vintage is recognized for producing structured, age-worthy Cabernets. At Bryant Family Vineyard, these conditions resulted in a wine praised for its discipline, depth, and longevity.


Explore Related Collections

You may also like

Recently viewed