Lauren Golanty

9.0

Hot damn. Delicious. Jeff like you would expect with a CA cab, but a counterpoint in the raspberry/strawberry blossom flavors… a totally lovely and balanced red, aged to perfection — 6 months ago

Donald Williams

9.4

Classic example of a well-made Mencia. — a year ago

with Bonnie

Andrew Cullimore

9.0

Pretty deep , almost opaque , thin rim . Quite wild , dried herbs , touch of rounded red fruits . More fruit on the palate , quite ripe red fruits , quite soft but fine , nice balanced acidity . Slightly warm. Quite good length though quite dry finish . Nice now , wouldn’t want to leave this too much longer however . — 3 years ago

Paco Suro

9.1

This was terrific. 16 years in. Softening. Still holding onto those leathery notes. Good stuff. — 5 years ago

Grace Skiles

9.2

Smells of plum and blackberries, thyme, and leather. Medium-high acid, medium body, high tannins. Bright cherry, juicy. Doesn't have the same heavy smokey quality that weighs fine many zinfandels. — 6 years ago

Brandon Boesch

9.8

Wow! The nose on this is spectacular. Wild blueberries, spices, fresh walk in the woods, and flowers. The feel and flavor in the mouth are so great. More blueberries, herbs, spices with perfectly integrated tannins. A balance between bandol and new world. — 7 years ago

Steve Anderson

9.2

Abe Schoener visits San Diego - Vino Carta 7/16/2018 - Lodi Study, Wine #2. nice nose, a ver fragrant Verdelho from rocky soils. MS favorite. — 8 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Bella Novello – Cabernet Sauvignon – Vintage 2023
Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A tribute wine named after Teresa Novello, this Cabernet Sauvignon carries the elegance of heritage with the power of Napa terroir. Crafted in limited production (just 850 cases), Bella Novello is youthful yet already expressive, shaped by winemaking that blends Italian finesse with Napa Valley boldness.

Aromas & Flavors
Aromas of blackcurrant, ripe plum, and blackberry intertwine with cedar, graphite, and touches of dried violet. Subtle hints of mocha and spice round out its aromatic depth.

Mouthfeel
Structured and youthful, with firm tannins and a focused core of dark fruit. The mid-palate shows promise of expansion, leading to a lingering finish marked by cassis and savory spice. Designed to reward both patience and curiosity.

Food Pairings
Pair with classic dishes like bistecca alla Fiorentina, braised lamb shanks, or wild mushroom risotto. Its backbone of tannin and freshness makes it ideal for rich, protein-driven meals.

Verdict
Bella Novello is a Cabernet with poise, combining Old World inspiration and Napa’s hallmark concentration. Drinkable now with decanting, but truly a wine built to age gracefully over the next decade.

Did You Know?
The Novello family’s Italian roots are deeply honored through this label, bringing a personal story of heritage to the heart of Napa winemaking.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This Cabernet feels like a future classic, bold yet refined. While still youthful, it already hints at the elegance it will achieve with time. A bottle worth cellaring, but also one to enjoy now with the right meal and good company. Cheers! — 7 months ago

MaJ CappS

9.1

My last bottle from the defunct yet memorable winery.

Smells so delicious, like a fruit yogurt

This drinks like it is fresh, with blackberry bramble, subtle and unique red fruits tucked behind the leather ones.
Tannins are still very gripping, and the acidity tames it back. A touch of heat and its off to the races! — 3 years ago

Andrew Holod

National Sales Grapes of Spain

8.9

A bit fleshier than previous vintages. The move to less new oak and less time in oak seems focus the wines here a bit, but the house style of nearly opulent dark fruit remains. — 5 years ago

Kelley Perry

9.0

2010 Luna Matta Vineyard — 6 years ago

Sabina Dessertine

9.0

Excellent orange wine- preferred slightly cooled, aired out in a decanter — 7 years ago

Anneke Franssen

9.0

Bought it at Lidl — 8 years ago

Skye

9.6

A little funky. Very juicy. Love it with a spicy meal — 7 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Blend of equal amounts of local red grapes; Caino, Espadeiro and Loueiro, Ruby red color with aromas of red fruits, herb, floral and cigar box notes. On the palate flavors of cherry and raspberry with tobacco, oak and garden herbs. Medium+ finish, chalky tannins, savory, ending with herbs, spice, cedar and slight fruit, savory. Nice, will continue to age. — 9 months ago

Ben Christen

9.5

So good. Corkage. — 4 years ago

Sarah Robards

10

All 3 loved it. Sweet, but not overly — 5 years ago

Rose’s Cafe

9.3

This is great! I finally found a wine to match my personality! — 5 years ago

Heinrich Heine

9.0

eindeutig solofähig, extrem süffig, fast süß aber mit außergewöhnlichen aromen — 6 years ago

Tracy Hall

8.9

Classic Pinot — 7 years ago