2020 Keenan 'Reserve' Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District
For those who crave Napa as it used to be—soulful, mountain-born, and family-made—Keenan’s 2020 ‘Reserve’ is a masterclass in authenticity. Perched high on Spring Mountain since 1977 and powered entirely by solar energy, this estate blends heritage with precision. A mosaic of Cabernet clones (15, 7, and 412) from the Big K and Point Vineyards yields a deep, structured red bursting with blackcurrant, blackberry, and cassis. Layers of black olive, loamy earth, scorched stone, and tea leaf weave through a long, savory finish that’s pure mountain magic. Old-school Napa at its finest—stock up before it’s just another legend whispered up the hillside.
It isn’t often that we meet with a winery to taste and we’re floored by every single wine they present. This happens maybe 3 times a year. Candidly, that’s what happens every year when Michael Keenan comes to visit. Michael is the GM and winemaker at this outstanding Spring Mountain property, which his dad Robert Keenan resurrected from the bones of a 19th century ghost winery in 1977. Keenan has flown under the radar for a long time — that is until Bob Parker had something to say about it: “Keenan has been on a real high-quality roll for a number of years, and they are among my favorite wines in Napa Valley, combining power and complexity. They’ve certainly found their groove.” – Robert M. Parker, Jr. These wines have it all: balance, power, complexity, and that inimitable dusty, underbrushy, bay leaf <i>goût de terroir</i> of the Mayacamas Range.
Decanter
The Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Keenan is a blend of Clones 15 and 7 from the Big K Vineyard, and Clone 412 from Point Vineyard. It offers a dynamic, full-bodied palate expression, intensely layered with dark berry fruit, black olive, loamy earth, and rich cassis that penetrates the mid-palate and drives the lengthy, savoury finish. Notes of scorched earth and black tea add nuance and intrigue. This is a wine begging to be paired with brisket or barbecue.
JS92
James Suckling
Lots of dried herbs and violet extract to the nose, with wild flowers and rich blueberries and ash. Rich and full-bodied with a nice herbal and tart quality to the black fruit. Firm and dense tannins, but resolved. Try after 2023.