Arrow & Branch
Right Bank Blend
Napa Valley, United States
2019
Vintage
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon
ABV
Where it is, June 2026
Approaching Peak: drinkable, but best years are ahead.
By May 2026, the 2019 Arrow and Branch Right Bank Blend is approaching its prime window, which opens in 2026, making this an excellent time to begin pulling corks. The wine has developed seven years of bottle complexity and the Cabernet Franc aromatic character is fully integrated and expressive. The tannins are supple and giving, the acidity remains vivid, and the wine's floral and spice complexity is at its most appealing. Peak drinking runs from 2029 through 2039, suggesting that bottles opened now will be a slightly younger expression while bottles saved for another three to five years will deliver the fullest complexity. Either approach delivers a wine of genuine quality and character.
Related vintages
The ‘19 Right Bank Blend.
A fragrant, Cabernet Franc-lifted Napa red that brings Right Bank Bordeaux elegance and floral precision to a valley known for weight.
Drinking window
Tasting note
Arrow and Branch's Right Bank Blend is a Napa Valley interpretation of the Right Bank Bordeaux tradition, drawing on Cabernet Franc's aromatic grace and structural elegance to produce a red wine with a character distinct from the valley's more typical Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated offerings. The 2019 opens with a perfumed, floral bouquet of lavender, lilac, red currant, and ripe cherry that immediately signals the influence of Cabernet Franc, the grape's violet-tinged, aromatic lift unmistakable in the opening moments. Blackberry and dark chocolate develop with time in the glass, adding depth and weight to the aromatic profile, while cinnamon and graphite provide a spice and mineral dimension that grounds the wine's considerable fruit. On the palate, the body is medium to full with vibrant acidity that is one of the wine's most impressive qualities, a freshness and energy that lifts the fruit and carries it through the long, complex finish. The tannins are supple and polished, reflecting both the quality of the vintage and the elegant profile that Cabernet Franc naturally provides when handled with care. Floral and spice notes linger on the close in a finish of genuine complexity and length. A distinctive and beautifully made Napa red that offers an alternative to the valley's standard Cabernet playbook.
The 2019 vintage
The 2019 vintage in Napa Valley was widely considered one of the finest of the decade, combining optimal growing conditions with excellent fruit quality and natural acidity. A moderate, well-paced growing season allowed the valley's diverse grape varieties to achieve full phenolic ripeness without the heat spikes that affected 2020, and the harvest was conducted in unhurried, excellent conditions. Cabernet Franc, which Arrow and Branch uses prominently in this blend, showed particular precision in 2019, with the variety's characteristic aromatic lift and structural elegance preserved in ideal form. The vintage is expected to produce wines of exceptional longevity and complexity.
About Arrow & Branch
Arrow and Branch is a Napa Valley producer focused on Bordeaux-variety blends made in the Right Bank tradition, emphasizing Cabernet Franc alongside Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The estate is committed to producing wines that reflect the aromatic elegance and structural precision of St-Emilion and Pomerol rather than the more powerful, Cabernet-dominant Medoc style that dominates Napa Valley. The Right Bank Blend is the estate's signature offering, a wine that challenges Napa Valley's conventional identity with a fresh, floral, and nuanced interpretation of what the valley's vineyards can produce when the winemaking philosophy shifts from power to finesse.
From the cellar: pair with
Herb-roasted lamb chops with mint gremolata and white bean puree
The wine's lavender and herb aromatics are a natural match for herb-scented lamb, a classic Right Bank pairing regardless of geographic origin.
Duck magret with cherry reduction and roasted beets
The wine's red currant and cherry character finds a natural echo in fruit-based sauces for duck, while the beets add an earthy richness that complements the wine's graphite depth.
Aged Camembert with fig jam and walnut bread
Creamy, ripe cheese with sweet accompaniments draws out the wine's floral and spice notes while softening its tannin structure pleasantly.
Service & cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 16-17C / 61-63F
- Decanting
- Decant one hour before serving. The wine's aromatics open beautifully with air exposure, and the tannins soften pleasantly with thirty minutes or more of breathing.
- Cellar Storage
- 12-14C / 54-57F
The drinking window on this bottle is calculated with the Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) v1.0, a 10-factor model. Try the free drinking window calculator on any wine, or read when to drink wine for the practical signals.
More from Napa Valley, United States
Frequently Asked
What is a Right Bank Blend in the context of Napa Valley?
In Bordeaux, the Right Bank of the Gironde estuary, including St-Emilion and Pomerol, produces wines dominated by Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Arrow and Branch interprets this tradition in Napa Valley by leading with Cabernet Franc's floral aromatic profile rather than the Cabernet Sauvignon power typical of Left Bank-inspired Napa reds.
Is 2019 a great Napa vintage?
Yes. 2019 is widely considered among the finest recent Napa vintages, combining excellent growing conditions with natural acidity and fruit precision that produce wines with exceptional aging potential.
When is the best time to drink this?
The window opens in 2026 and peak drinking runs from 2029 through 2039. Opening now delivers a young, vibrant wine; waiting three to five years will add complexity.
How does Cabernet Franc affect the wine's character?
Cabernet Franc contributes the wine's floral aromatic quality, particularly the lavender and violet notes, as well as a structural elegance and bright acidity that distinguishes it from Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blends. The grape is naturally more perfumed and lighter-bodied, giving the wine its distinctive Right Bank personality.