Robert Craig Affinity Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 is a mountain-sourced Napa Valley Bordeaux-style red blend in a standard 750ml bottle. Scoring 93 points from James Suckling, this vintage demonstrates the focused, mineral-driven character that has defined the Affinity cuvée as one of Napa's more compelling multi-vineyard blends. Antonio Galloni of Vinous awarded it 92 points in December 2024, calling it "a terrific entry-level offering from Robert Craig."Quick Facts: Blend: 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec | Origin: Napa Valley, California | Vintage: 2022 | Winery: Robert Craig WineryProduction & HeritageRobert Craig Winery has built its reputation on the conviction that Napa Valley's finest Cabernet Sauvignon grows at elevation. For the 2022 Affinity, the winery drew primarily from its mountain estate vineyards on Howell Mountain and Mount Veeder to form the wine's structural backbone, supplementing with fruit from a handful of long-standing Napa Valley growers who contribute to this hillside and mountain-sourced blend. Much of the fruit comes from young vines on Howell Mountain. The wine aged 18 months in French oak barrels with a high proportion of new wood, and was bottled unfiltered and unfined—a deliberate choice to preserve texture and depth of fruit expression.Tasting NotesAroma: Cassis and ripe blackberry emerge first, followed by sweet baking spices and a subtle graphite undertone. A floral lift develops with time in the glass, lending elegance to the darker aromatic core.Taste: The entry is generous with currant and black cherry fruit, supported by a mid-palate showing of cocoa, black licorice, and star anise. Fine-grained tannins carry the flavors forward without heaviness, while vibrant acidity provides polish and definition to the wine's mid-weight frame. Iron-tinged minerality and dark thorny-vine fruit reinforce the mountain origins of the blend.Finish: Medium-long, with lingering notes of blackcurrant, crushed graphite, and a faint dusting of cocoa powder. The tannin structure holds its composure, receding gradually and leaving a clean, mineral impression.How to Drink Affinity 2022This wine is built for the table and drinks best at cellar temperature—around 60–65°F—either on its own or alongside a meal. Decanting for 30–45 minutes opens up the aromatics considerably. While the Affinity is fundamentally a food wine rather than a cocktail ingredient, it pairs exceptionally with roasted and braised dishes that match its weight and dark fruit character.Best For Introducing someone to serious mountain-sourced Napa Cabernet without the sticker shock of single-vineyard bottlings Pairing with a weekend dinner of braised short ribs or grilled lamb Building a vertically aged collection from a respected Napa hillside producer Gifting a Bordeaux-blend enthusiast looking to explore California's mountain terroir Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Affinity 2022 taste like? The dominant profile centers on dark fruit—black cherry, cassis, and blackcurrant—layered with cocoa, star anise, and a graphite mineral thread. Vibrant acidity and fine tannins keep the wine structured and polished rather than heavy.How does Affinity 2022 compare to Robert Craig's Howell Mountain Cabernet? The Affinity is a multi-vineyard Bordeaux blend drawing on several mountain sites and five grape varieties, positioning it as a more approachable, earlier-drinking wine than the single-appellation Howell Mountain Cabernet. The Howell Mountain bottling typically shows greater concentration and tannic density, reflecting its 100% estate-grown mountain fruit.Is Affinity 2022 good for cellaring? Yes—the fine-grained tannin structure and mountain-fruit acidity suggest the wine will develop nicely over the next 5–8 years, though it is already drinking well with a short decant.Where is Affinity 2022 made? It is produced by Robert Craig Winery in Napa Valley, California, with fruit sourced primarily from the winery's estate vineyards on Howell Mountain and Mount Veeder, supplemented by select hillside growers throughout Napa Valley.What foods pair well with Affinity 2022? Braised short ribs complement the wine's dark fruit and cocoa notes. Grilled lamb chops echo its herbal, spiced character. Aged Gruyère or Comté highlight the mineral undercurrent. Roasted portobello mushrooms match its earthy depth. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the cocoa finish without overwhelming the tannins.What sizes does Affinity 2022 come in? The Robert Craig Affinity Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 is available in the standard 750ml bottle.Is Affinity 2022 worth the price? The Affinity positions as the entry point to Robert Craig's portfolio, offering mountain-sourced Napa Valley fruit, extended French oak aging, and unfiltered production at a fraction of the cost of the winery's single-vineyard designates—strong value within the premium Napa Cabernet category.Why Affinity 2022?What separates the Affinity from the sea of Napa Cabernet blends is its genuine mountain pedigree—Howell Mountain and Mount Veeder estate fruit forms the core of a wine that many producers would source entirely from the valley floor. The 2022 vintage's unfiltered, unfined bottling preserves a textural authenticity that 93 points from James Suckling and 92 from Vinous confirm. The five-variety Bordeaux blend architecture gives winemaker Stephen Barber a palette of components to build complexity without relying solely on new oak extraction. For drinkers who want to understand what Napa mountain terroir tastes like without committing to single-vineyard pricing, the 2022 Affinity is one of the more honest expressions available.
