Welcome to the Wine Spies Intrigue Awards for 2015! Each year we recognize our most popular and sought-after wines from the previous year - while giving our Operatives one final chance to secure some of the winning wines for themselves.

Today’s 97 point - Cornerstone 2011 Stepping Stone Cabernet Sauvignon is our Wine Spies 2015 Intrigue Awards winner for Operative’s Choice: Top Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

This Cabernet exhibits gorgeously vibrant aromatics of raspberry and blackcurrant, subtle barrel spice and sprinkles of dark chocolate.

Vibrantly balanced acidity and velvety youthful tannins flow seamlessly, enveloping the fruit and growing in volume as the wine gently sails towards a lingering finish with a touch of minerality.

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The critics love this wine. Here is a sampling of accolades for today’s wine:

97 points – Chris Sawyer, Sommelier & Wine Critic

94 points - James the Wine Guy

92+ points – International Wine Report

91 points – The Tasting Panel Magazine

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Here’s what Chris Sawyer, Sommelier & Wine Critic has to say:

“Over the past decade, there are a growing number of consumers who have started to think that all Cabernet Sauvignons from Napa Valley need to be big, powerful, and brooding. Many of these people are the same ones that don’t talk much at social gatherings because they are too busy chewing on the heavy tannins that many of these monster wines possess. But the truth is the nuances of the special appellations in Napa Valley shine in wines that are more elegant and refined.

The newest case in point is the Cornerstone 2011 Stepping Stone Cabernet Sauvignon, a magnificent wine made with premium fruit grown in the Howell Mountain and Rutherford appellations, and small amount of Merlot (12%) grown in Oakville.

The finished wine features aromas of ripe berries, black currant, leather, dark chocolate, roasted walnut and spice. And, upon the first sip, the lush flavors are bursting with notes of pretty blue fruits, blueberry, cassis, black raspberry, Himalayan blackberry jam, black olive and dried mountain herbs; soft tannins; velvety texture; and a long, elegant finish.

So, instead of being big, powerful and brazen; this seductive wine is best described as soft, balanced, sultry, and sexy.

With food, try this delectable new release with wild mushroom strudel, fresh gnocchi with black truffle, grilled sausage, slow-cooked ribs, lamb sliders, beef wellington with peppercorn sauce, hearty stews, and complex cheeses.” - 97 points - Sommelier & Wine Critic, Chris Sawyer