Vice Versa Cabenet Sauvignon 'Spinning Plates' Napa Valley

Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon “Spinning Plates” Napa Valley is a polished, full-bodied Napa Cabernet that delivers the depth, concentration, and finesse expected from the Vice Versa portfolio in a more broadly styled appellation bottling. The winery describes Spinning Plates as its Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, built around flavors of ripe blue and black berries, black cherry, graphite, dark chocolate, tobacco leaf, and herbs, with a profile that is complex, concentrated, and framed by abundant fine tannins. It is designed to showcase extraordinary balance, fine ripe structure, pliancy, and a long, mineral, juicy finish.

Process & Profile

Vice Versa positions Spinning Plates as its Napa Valley Cabernet expression, built primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon with supporting amounts of Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc depending on the vintage. Current retailer information for the 2023 release says the wine is drawn mostly from the warmer north end of Napa Valley, with fruit from Oakville, Rutherford, Stags Leap District, and Calistoga.

The wine’s élevage reinforces its premium Napa styling. Retailer and winery-linked sources state that it is aged 18 months after fermentation, with the 2023 release matured in 85% new and 15% neutral French oak barrels. Vice Versa’s official 2021 tech sheet lists the wine at 14.8% ABV and 1,500 cases produced, underscoring both its richness and relatively limited scale.

On the nose and palate, Spinning Plates leans into classic Napa Cabernet richness with a distinctly polished edge. Vice Versa’s official notes emphasize ripe blue and black berries, black cherry, graphite, dark chocolate, tobacco leaf, and herbs, while retailer notes for the inaugural 2019 release add juicy blackberry, currant, licorice, cigar box, cocoa powder, and oak spice. Napa Wine Project’s review of the 2022 vintage similarly highlights dark raspberry, red cherry, boysenberry, dark cocoa powder, and a light kiss of cedar box, reinforcing a style that is dark-fruited, savory, and composed rather than simply opulent.

Critic and merchant notes on the 2021 vintage point to a more immediately charming side of the wine. Wine Advocate, via a retailer listing, describes it as offering black cherries, cassis, and a hint of graphite, with a medium- to full-bodied frame, silky tannins, and mouthwatering acids, calling it approachable yet fresh in style. Jeb Dunnuck’s note, surfaced through another retailer, describes a vivid purple hue, pure blue fruits, spring flowers, graphite, and subtle background oak, with a beautiful core of sweet fruit and ripe tannins.

What makes Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon “Spinning Plates” Napa Valley especially compelling is the way it balances serious Napa pedigree with more accessible flagship-style versatility. It has the fruit intensity, oak detail, and tannin structure Cabernet shoppers want, but the wine’s emphasis on balance, pliancy, and juicy mineral length keeps it from feeling heavy-handed. For shoppers looking for a premium Napa Cabernet that feels polished, giftable, and highly drinkable while still carrying real cellar potential, Spinning Plates is a particularly strong choice. The gifting and cellar-worthiness positioning is an inference based on the winery’s structure notes and critic drinking windows.

Serve it just below room temperature and give it some air in a decanter to let the darker fruit, graphite, and oak spice fully open. It should pair especially well with ribeye, braised short ribs, lamb, roasted mushrooms, or aged cheeses, though those pairing suggestions are an inference based on the wine’s full body, tannin profile, and Cabernet structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon “Spinning Plates” Napa Valley?
It is Vice Versa’s Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, built primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon and styled as a complex, concentrated, full-bodied wine with fine tannins and a long mineral finish.

What are the key specs of Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon “Spinning Plates” Napa Valley?
The wine is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller amounts of Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. Current retailer information for the 2023 release says the fruit comes from Oakville, Rutherford, Stags Leap District, and Calistoga, and it is aged 18 months in 85% new and 15% neutral French oak. The official 2021 tech sheet lists 14.8% ABV and 1,500 cases produced.

What flavors characterize Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon “Spinning Plates” Napa Valley?
Official and supporting notes describe ripe blue and black berries, black cherry, graphite, dark chocolate, tobacco leaf, herbs, blackberry, currant, licorice, cigar box, cocoa powder, cedar, cassis, and spring flowers.

How should you enjoy Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon “Spinning Plates” Napa Valley?
Serve it slightly below room temperature and consider decanting before pouring. It should pair especially well with grilled or roasted red meats, braised dishes, mushrooms, and aged cheeses; those pairings are an inference based on the wine’s body and structure.

What makes Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon “Spinning Plates” Napa Valley special?
Its appeal comes from the combination of premium Napa sourcing, Cabernet-dominant structure, substantial French oak élevage, and a style built around concentration, balance, and pliant texture.