News/Press
2021 Zeitgeist Cellars Sleeping Lady Cabernet Sauvignon Yountville
100 pts
A wine that tops out my scale, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Sleeping Lady is 100% varietal from a great site just outside of Yountville and was brought up in 70% new French oak. It s an incredible wine in every sense, offering incredible purity as well as laser-like precision in its cassis, darker currants, lead pencil, graphite, and crushed stone-driven aromas and flavors. Possessing full-bodied, incredible richness, building tannins, yet integrated acidity and flawless overall balance, it’s a tour de force in winemaking and quite possibly the finest wine I’ve tasted from this vineyard. Hide bottles for 4-5 years, and it should evolve for well over two decades. Hats off to winemaker Jennifer Williams.
December 26, 2023 www.jebdunnuck.com
2019 Zeitgeist Oakville Station Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville, Napa Valley
98 pts
The single-varietal 2021 Oakville Station Cabernet Sauvignon is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a bit of swirling to bring out fragrant scents of forest floor, dusty soil, and potpourri leading to a core of warm cassis, blackberry pie, and redcurrant jelly. The full-bodied palate has impressive tension, with a fine-grained texture and fantastically expressive black and red fruit layers, finishing long and minerally. This is beautiful!
Lisa Perrotti-Brown March 28th, 2024 The Wine Independent
2021 Zeitgeist Cellars Sleeping Lady Cabernet Franc Yountville
98 pts
The only wine from Williams that’s fermented all in barrels, the 2021 Cabernet Franc Sleeping Lady Vineyard is another truly sensation wine from this team. Compared to the Cabernet Sauvignon releases, it stays more focused and chiseled, with medium to full-bodied richness as well as sensational levels of purity in its redcurrants, spring flowers, graphite, and forest floor-like aromatics and flavors. As with the other releases from Williams, it has riveting purity, flawless balance, and a gorgeous finish. Enjoy bottles over the coming two decades.
December 26, 2023 www.jebdunnuck.com
2019 Zeitgeist Oakville Station Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville, Napa Valley
99 pts
Just about pure perfection, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Station Vineyard is jaw-dropping good juice that comes from a great vineyard in Oakville that’s surrounded by the likes of To Kalon, Martha’s Vineyard, Opus One, and Far Niente. Raised 22 months in 95% new French oak, this ripe, full-bodied, opulent 2019 offers textbook Cabernet notes of savory dark fruits, dried herbs, cedar pencil, and tobacco. This deep, rich, flawlessly balanced Cabernet Sauvignon will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and keep for two decades.
March 10, 2022 www.jebdunnuck.com
2019 Zeitgeist Cellars Sleeping Lady Cabernet Sauvignon Yountville
96+ pts
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Sleeping Lady Vineyard shows a classic, almost old school style in its more mineral-laced, graphite, lead pencil, and floral aromas and flavors. Nicely concentrated and medium to full-bodied, with beautiful cassis and almost black raspberry fruits, it builds with time in the glass, has ripe yet firm tannins, and a great finish. Give bottles 3-5 years and enjoy over the following two decades. March 10, 2022 www.jebdunnuck.com
2019 Zeitgeist Cellars Sleeping Lady Cabernet Sauvignon Yountville
95 pts
Redcurrants, crushed blackberries and dried herbs on the nose. Full-bodied with fine, velvety tannins. Great richness and depth. Red and black licorice and ground spice. Layered and well structured. Best after 2025. March 23, 2022 www.jamessuckling.com
2019 Zeitgeist Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
95 pts
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley just about blows the door off the value category, and readers will be hard pressed to find a better Cabernet Sauvignon at the price. A blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cabernet Franc, from a handful of top sites, it offers a deep purple hue, notes of red, blue, and black fruits, violets, and spicy wood, medium to full body, a round, layered mouthfeel, and a great finish. The purity of fruit is spot on, and this can be drunk today or cellared for 10-15 years. Hats off to winemaker Jennifer Williams for another no-brainer value. March 10, 2022 www.jebdunnuck.com
2018 Zeitgeist Cellars Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
96+ pts
2018 Zeitgeist Cellars The Grove Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena, Napa Valley
94 pts
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon The Grove comes from the Lewelling Vineyard, outside of St. Helena, and it’s another full-bodied, impressively textured wine from winemakers Jennifer Williams and Mark Porembski. Cassis, vanilla bean, jammy blackberries, and white flowers are just some of the nuances here, and it’s full-bodied, with a rounded, elegant texture and beautiful tannins. It’s already terrific, but I have no doubt it will evolve for 15-20 years or more. January 27, 2021 www.jebdunnuck.com
2018 Zeitgeist Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
93 pts
Readers looking for a great Napa Valley Cabernet under $100 should snatch up the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley from Zeitgeist. Just about all Cabernet (there is 1% Cabernet Franc) sourced from a slew of great sites (Sleeping Lady, Oakville Station, Lewelling, etc.), it offers a medium to full-bodied, upfront, yet impeccably balanced, classic style as well as impressive notes of blue fruits, violets, and flowers. The oak is nicely integrated and it has plenty of mid-palate depth, followed by a great finish. January 27, 2021 www.jebdunnuck.com
2018 Zeitgeist Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
92 pts
2017 Zeitgeist Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
95 pts
Starting with the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon (92% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc), it has a vibrant purple color as well as a great nose of red, blue, and black fruits intermixed with lots of spice, spring flowers, chocolate, and forest floor. It’s not a blockbuster, but it’s just seamless, gorgeously textured, and a stunning value. January 31, 2020 www.jebdunnuck.com
2016 Zeitgeist Cellars Sleeping Lady Cabernet Sauvignon
97 pts
One of the finest wines I was able to taste from this up and coming vineyard outside of Yountville, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Sleeping Lady is all Clone 7 Cabernet Sauvignon (there’s a splash of Cabernet Franc in there as well) aged 22 months in barrel. A majestic, seamless wine, with tons of liquid violets, lead pencil shavings, rocky minerality, and crème de cassis, it hits the palate with awesome purity of fruit, sweet tannins, and a finish that leaves you looking for another glass. Despite its purity of fruit and balance, it has enough tannins to warrant 2-4 years or bottle age and will keep for 20+ years.” January 31, 2019 www.jebdunnuck.com
2017 Zeitgeist Cellars Trousseau Gris Russian River Valley
94 pts
Made to be fresh, fruity and enjoyed frequently, this wine is oily in lemon and apricot, with a refreshing, spritzy acidity that’s both bright and complex. The vineyard is one of very few in the state to grow the variety and this producer has made it its mission to honor both the site and the grape. She does.
2015 Zeitgeist Cellars Sleeping Lady Cabernet Sauvignon
99 pts
The utterly profound 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Sleeping Lady Vineyard comes from a site of alluvial soils just south of Dominus. This killer wine has a Graves-like minerality as well as loads of cassis and blackcurrant fruit, notes of tobacco, cedarwood, and earth, full-bodied richness, and an ethereal texture. It’s an awesome wine and possibly one of the greatest wines from this site. It’s already hard to resist given its texture and balance, but will keep for 2-3 decades. Bravo!–Jeb Dunnuck
2014 Zeitgeist Cellars The Grove Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena
95 pts
Zeitgeist’s 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon The Grove emerges from Lewelling, one of the most historic sites in St. Helena. Rich, sumptuous and alluring to its core, the 2014 captures all the purity of this site. Even with all of its intensity, the Grove has a level of detail and translucency that is remarkable. Dark cherry, mocha, leather and licorice all flesh out effortlessly. — Antonio Galloni March 2018
2015 Zeitgeist Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
94+ pts
There’s 400 cases of the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon and it’s a blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot, from the Farella, Lewelling, and Sleeping Lady Vineyard, that was brought up in 70% new French oak. It’s another concentrated, ripe, sexy 2015 that has classic notes of cassis, blackberry jam, crushed rocks and leather. With terrific balance and building tannin, it’s a classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that will benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age and keep for 15-20 years. –Jeb Dunnuck
2014 Zeitgeist Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
94 pts
The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from four separate AVAs: Coombsville, St. Helena, Yountville and Oakville. There is plenty of crème de cassis fruit, an inky purple color, notes of charcoal, toast, blackcurrants, and spicy oak are present in this dense, full-bodied opulently concentrated wine. It is multi-layered, impressive and has the silky suppleness of the 2014 vintage as a hallmark. Drink it over the next 15-20+ years. —Robert M. Parker, Jr.
2013 Zeitgeist Cellars Sleeping Lady Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
95+ pts
The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Sleeping Lady is a small cuvée but certainly the best of the four Cabs. Deep purple in color, with flowery notes intermixed with blackcurrant and blackberry liqueur, some forest floor and graphite, it is full-bodied, opulent and best drunk over the next 12-15+ years. —Robert M. Parker, Jr.
2014 Zeitgeist Cellars Trousseau Gris Russian River Valley
93 pts
From old vines within the Fanucchi Wood Road Vineyard in the heart of the appellation, this is a rare bottling of a variety more commonly found in the Jura, but acquiring new fans in California, especially made at this high level. Creamy and round, it remains fresh on the palate in a lemon-swirled minerality that provides a savory edge of ginger. More…
2010 Zeitgeist Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
92 pts
Beautifully crafted, sleek and trim, with well-defined dried currant, berry, loamy earth, smoke and cedar notes. Shows a sweet edge to the ripe berry flavors, ending with a crushed rock feel to the tannins. Drink now through 2027. 300 cases made. —JL Issue: Feb 28, 2014
2012 Zeitgeist Cellars Trousseau Gris Russian River Valley
90 pts
Mark Porembski and Jennifer Williams make this wine from the Fanucchi Wood Road Vineyard in Fulton, from vines Peter Fanucchi planted in 1981. It’s an old-fashioned white. the sort that speaks of its terroir in scents of the local flora—in this case, mustard flowers, peaches and pears. Those flavors come in a modern package, soft, cushioned and clean. Try it with chorizo-stuffed squid. (350 cases) Zeitgeist Cellars, St. Helena, CA
2010 Zeitgeist Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
90 pts
Mark Porembski and Jennifer Williams blend this wine from two vineyards, Anomaly in St. Helena and Farella in Coombsville. The warm and the cool ends of the valley combine in a clean, supple 2010, balancing blue fruit and brushy manzanita spice with fat, round tannins. It’s a little heady in alcohol, but that’s integrated to read as richness. A sleek Napa Valley cabernet to match lean, grass-fed beef. (296 cases) Zeitgeist Cellars, St. Helena, CA
2007 Zeitgeist Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
92 pts
A blend from two vineyards, one in St. Helena, one in Coombsville, this is made by husband-and-wife team Mark Porembski and Jennifer Williams. The wine has a long drive of flavor, with cool red fruit darkening to black cherry. It feels elegant up until the end, the point where the warm St. Helena tannins haven’t yet integrated with the cooler tones of Coombsville. Give it time in bottle and more clarity of flavor should emerge in the finish. Zeitgeist Cellars, St. Helena, CA
An impressive number of married couples also seem to enjoy making wine together…Add to that list Jennifer Williams, winemaker of Spottswoode (where I worked the harvest and wrote about it) and her husband Mark Poremski, winemaker at Anomoly and Charnu. Together they make Zeitgeist Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon. More…
…St. Helena resident Mark Porembski makes wines for Anomaly Vineyards and for Charnu Winery, both Napa Valley Vintner members. His wife, Jennifer Williams, is the winemaker and vineyard manager for Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery. Porembski was first assistant winemaker at Behrens & Hitchcock/Erna Schein Winery on Spring Mountain in St. Helena and joined Anomaly in 2002. Three years later, in 2005, he became winemaker. Jennifer Williams has worked in Napa and the Central Coast and has completed an internship in northern Spain. She said, “The majority of my education and experience in the industry has had a vineyard focus. It’s been the grace of a handful of wonderful winemaker mentors who have taught me the ropes, and from whom I continue to learn.” One of those, obviously, was Rosemary Cakebread, who made wine at Spottswoode for nearly 10 years. Porembski and Williams have their own cabernet and syrah label, Zeitgeist Cellars. They reside in St. Helena with their young daughter, Kiran. More…
2021 Zeitgeist Oakville Station Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville, Napa Valley
99 pts
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Station is just about pure perfection and is a match for anything in the vintage. All varietal from a great vineyard in Oakville, aged 20 months in 65% new barrels, it has a full-bodied, pure, focused, incredibly impressive style as well as ample cassis and black raspberry-like fruit, notes of graphite, chocolate, and spring flowers, building yet ripe and polished tannins, and remarkable purity. The purity, depth, and balance here are something to behold. As with most 2021s, 3-4 years of bottle age are warranted, but it will evolve for two decades at a minimum.
December 26, 2023 www.jebdunnuck.com
2021 Zeitgeist Cellars The Grove Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena, Napa Valley
97 pts
Jumping up in price (but I’d say still a relative value), the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon The Grove comes all from the Lewelling Vineyard outside of St. Helena and was raised in 75% new barrels. Ripe blackberries, currants, toasted spices, chocolate, and even some roasted herb nuances all define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with a full-bodied, deep, expansive, layered mouthfeel. It’s beautifully balanced and shows the more sexy, exuberant style of this vineyard perfectly. Drink bottles over the coming 15+ years.
December 26, 2023 www.jebdunnuck.com
2019 Zeitgeist Cellars Sleeping Lady Cabernet Franc Yountville
96+ pts
Beautiful red, blue, and black fruits as well as baking chocolate, espresso, and tobacco-like herb notes all emerge from the 2019 Cabernet Franc Sleeping Lady Vineyard, a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, compact, promising wine. All varietal aged 22 months in 95% new French oak, this is pure class and deserves 4-5 years at least in the cellar and should see its 20th birthday in fine form.
March 10, 2022 www.jebdunnuck.com
2019 Zeitgeist Cellars Sleeping Lady Cabernet Franc Yountville
95 pts
Zeitgeist’s 2019 Cabernet Franc Sleeping Lady Vineyard is decidedly herbal, but attractively so, with hints of tobacco and tomato leaf accenting cassis and black cherries on the nose. The 20 months in 95% new French oak have made minimal impact on the aromatics. In the mouth, this super wine is full-bodied and supple yet grainy, with more stuffing even than the Cabernet Sauvignon, finishing long, chewy and rich. 70 cases produced.
May 31, 2022 Joe Czerwinski www.robertparker.com
2019 Zeitgeist Cellars The Grove Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena, Napa Valley
97 pts
A bigger, richer, more opulent wine, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon The Grove comes all from the Lewelling Vineyard outside of St. Helena and spent 22 months in two-thirds new French oak. Straight-up awesome notes of cassis, red currants, tobacco, toasted spice, and sweet herbs all emerge on the nose, and it’s packed with fruit, has ripe, polished tannins, full-bodied richness, and a great finish. This vineyard always seems to producer ripe, sexy wines, and this wine certainly falls into that category. Drink it over the coming two decades or so.
March 10, 2022 www.jebdunnuck.com
2018 Zeitgeist Cellars Sleeping Lady Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
98 pts
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Sleeping Lady Vineyard is brilliant, one of the finest Cabernets I’ve tasted from this vineyard. Based on 99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cabernet Franc, aged 22 months in 80% new French oak, this full-bodied beauty has wonderfully integrated, ripe tannins, elegance paired with richness, and textbook Napa Valley Cabernet notes of blue fruits, leafy tobacco, cedar pencil, and damp earth. It’s a brilliant, smoking good 2018 that will benefit from short-term bottle age yet cruise for 20-25 years in cold cellars.
January 27, 2021 www.jebdunnuck.com
2018 Zeitgeist Cellars Sleeping Lady Cabernet Franc Napa Valley
95 pts
Made from 100% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Cabernet Franc Sleeping Lady Vineyard is deep garnet-purple in color, rolling effortlessly out of the glass with provocative scents of warm redcurrants, Morello cherries, black raspberries and fresh blackberries with suggestions of tilled soil, fallen leaves and pencil lead plus a waft of cumin seed. Full-bodied, the taut, tightly wound red and black fruits are well-supported by a rock-solid frame of firm, grainy tannins and lovely freshness, finishing long with loads of mineral sparks. 44 cases were made.
November 5th, 2020 Lisa Perotti-Brown www.robertparker.com
2018 Zeitgeist Cellars The Grove Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena, Napa Valley
94 pts
2016 Zeitgeist Cellars The Grove Cabernet Sauvignon
97 pts
Another remarkable wine from this estate is the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon The Grove, which comes all from the Lewelling Vineyard on the west side of St. Helena. From 20- to 25-year-old vines and aged 22 months in barrel, it reveals a deep purple color as well as a complex, nuanced style (which is the hallmark of this vineyard) in its blue fruits, lavender, violets, and incense. Deep, full-bodied, and incredibly sexy and voluptuous on the palate, this thrilling 2016 can be drunk today or cellared for 15-20 years or more. January 31, 2019 www.jebdunnuck.com
2016 Zeitgeist Cellars Sleeping Lady Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
96 pts
2016 Zeitgeist Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
94 pts
Checking in as a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc from a number of top vineyards in the valley, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley spent 22 months in oak prior to bottling. In the running for one of the top Cabernets for under 100 dollars, this beauty has fabulous purity and elegance as well as a complex style in its sweet black fruits, licorice, spice, and subtle oak. Sort, forward, and ready to go, it should nevertheless cruise for 10-15 years in cold cellars.
2016 Zeitgeist Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
93 pts
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc from the Sleeping Lady vineyard (Yountville), Oakville Station vineyard (Oakville), Lewelling vineyard (St. Helena) and Farella vineyard (Coombsville). Deep garnet-purple, it opens with expressive red and black cherries, wild blueberries and lavender with hints of chocolate box and menthol. The palate is full, rich, concentrated, firm and plush with loads of fruit and floral layers, finishing long. 396 cases produced, to be released in the spring of 2019.
2016 Zeitgeist Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
92 pts
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is fabulous. Then again, that should not be entirely surprising given that Zeitgeist pulls fruit from Sleeping Lady, Farella and Lewelling for this bottling. Dark, powerful and ample, the 2016 speaks with the voice of distinction. Black cherry, smoke, licorice, scorched earth and leather add to an impression of gravitas. This is an especially dense, potent wine in its peer group. Give it another year or two in bottle.
2014 Zeitgeist Cellars Sleeping Lady Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
96 pts
The pick of the litter, however, remains the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Sleeping Lady Vineyard, which is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Yountville. Terrific mid-palate sucrosity, an inky purple color, spectacular blueberry and blackberry fruit, crushed rock, spring flowers and unsmoked cigar tobacco are all present in this deep, rich, full-bodied wine that should drink well for 20-some years at the minimum. —Robert M. Parker, Jr.
2013 Zeitgeist Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
94 pts
The fresh sage, blackberry and sweet black tobacco aromas and flavors are compelling. Full body, yet shows form and tension. Fresh and delicious finish. Drink or hold. – James Suckling
2013 Zeitgeist Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
93+ pts
There are 421 cases of the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa from the same four sites used for the 2012. This wine is coiled tightly and displays higher tannin as well as higher extract and richness. It has an inky purple color and beautiful, dense blackberry and cassis flavors along with hints of licorice, forest floor and earth. Some background oak also makes an appearance. This wine will benefit from several years of bottle age and should drink well for 15 more years. —Robert M. Parker, Jr.
2012 Zeitgeist Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
92 pts
This is very intense and beautiful with spice, nutmeg and berry character. Full body, firm tannins and flavorful finish. Drink or hold. – James Suckling
2013 Zeitgeist Cellars Trousseau Gris Russian River Valley
90 pts
Very pale color. Fresh herbs, white pepper, smoke and spices on the nose; reminded me a bit of gruner veltliner. Tactile, saline and bracing in the mouth, with very dry but not overly herbal flavors of lemon zest, anise, white pepper and snap pea. Dusty and concentrated but not hard. Saturates the palate with lemon, pepper and spices on the lingering finish. Leaves the mouth feeling refreshed. I like this style. — Stephen Tanzer May 2014
2010 Zeitgeist Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
92 pts
Good dark ruby. Captivating floral lift to the aromas of cassis, black cherry, licorice and graphite minerality, with complementary sweet oak nuances. Sweet, dense, supple and deep, with dark berry and spice flavors nicely framed by harmonious acidity and accented by piquant pepper and herb notes. Finishes juicy and long, with firm-edge tannins and lovely floral lift. Very well done.
Zeitgeist Cellars Syrah Bald Mountain Ranch, Mt. Veeder 2008
Zeitgeist is a philosophical term meaning the spirit of the times. Zeitgeist Cellars was conceived and is operated by Mark Porembski and Jennifer Williams. Mark’s day jobs are as assistant winemaker at Behrens Family Winery and winemaker at Anomaly Vineyard in St. Helena. Jennifer’s day job is that of winemaker at Spottswoode Estate Winery in St. Helena. Mark’s path to California took him through Boston’s North End where he was drawn to wine via the relaxed underage drinking policies of the waiters in some of his favorite eateries. He moved to California in 2000 holding tightly in his hand that which all good winemakers strive for: a degree in poetry. The bard has found his vehicle. Jennifer has a degree in agriculture from Cal Poly and paid her dues at a number of wineries in California as well as in Rioja Alavesa in Spain before accepting the winemaking position at Spottswoode in 2006. The Zeitgeist Syrah hails from a dry-farmed vineyard located at the top of Mt. Veeder, which straddles the Napa/Sonoma county line. The rows that they have contracted lie within the Napa Valley appellation. Comprised of 100% Syrah, the nose belies its origin. One sniff and you are vaulted into the Rhone. Perhaps Cornas or Hermitage. Meaty and brooding, the wine has a very intense nose that screams SYRAH. The flavors that follow are true to what is promised in the nose, but with an unexpected smoothness that belies the intensity. 47 cases produced
2008 Zeitgeist Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
91 pts
Rich with lots of juicy fruit here. Full with a round and soft tannin texture and fresh acidity. Lacks a little bit of fruit at the finish. But it should come together with bottle age. Best after 2013.