Brian Hearty

9.0

2025. The skin contact amplified some of the floral notes of base wine. — 25 days ago

Frank Soldano

9.2

Drinking the 2018 in 2026. Dark thick long lasting legs. Nose has dark fruit and cherry notes, slightly sweet. Light flavor for a cab. Very smooth with a fruity finish. Nice wine. — 5 months ago

Ross Bathgate

9.6

Non vintage but with >5 years bottle age. Amazingly dry and crisp. Was not expecting apple and dryness. So fine with yeasty notes. Long and satisfying — 6 months ago

Todd Scurci

8.9

#pinotgris #oregon — 9 months ago

with Annie

K L

9.0

Still very good but needs more time to be great. Good standby. Drinking nice with the aerator but a very big wine still. — 4 years ago

with Matt

Jennifer Pletcher

9.3

Fruity start, a little green pepper on finish — 5 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.2

Chasing my chaotic self-administered pandemic hair chopping with a Gewurtz from Arroyo Seco which seems to me apropos as I imagine the region as wind-swept and tousled. This wine is not so much and that is a good thing. All is in harmony. There is just the right amount of everything and it hits you in order—the lychees are followed by a green lawn leading to the flower garden full of roses and gardenias all spirited along by a nice amount of acid and powered by a prickling tannin. I’m not normally the biggest Gewurtz fan but I’d reach for this a second time. I’d maybe even pair it with a “hard to pair” thing like artichoke. Something about the floral nature of both I think could line up. Is that crazy? Maybe. But this is coming from someone who just used her kitchen scissors to give herself an intentionally asymmetrical haircut. — 5 years ago

Brian S

9.5

Truffle cheese — a month ago

Rachel Wolf

9.5

Mossy on the nose, Pinot fruitiness in the mouth, grows in complexity and depth as it breathes — 3 months ago

Sándor Jaguar

9.0

Possibly a potential go to medium $ Pinot noir. Can't think of what is better except for stuff we have equity in — 6 months ago

with Sydne, Ryan and 22 others

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 . — 4 years ago

Kelly Way

9.5

Fantastic! — 4 years ago

Jody Scharf

9.0

Spicy but Nicy. — 5 years ago

Paco Suro

9.1

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

Tobin Spratte

9.3

This is the first wine I've rated where I stood right on the soil where it grew. Classic blackberrry-raspberry and strawberry jam aromas of domestic Zin but significantly more character and earth as it breathes in the glass. — 2 months ago

Christian Fischer

9.2

Well that was a weird bottle. Smelled amazing and tasted very off, no TCA or anything like it, difficult to describe. It had a layer of very tart tannin-like overlaying flavor that was not good. Left it open for 24 hours and it was much improved. After 48 hours it was a nice bottle of CA cab. Clearly something off with this bottle and the 9.2 rating is a 9.1 from day 3 and some add for ‘not typical’. I had high hopes for this wine and don’t think I have had a fair sampling of it — 5 months 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! — 8 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

EL

9.1

Still got it. — 7 years ago