Goldschmidt Vineyards 'The Conspirator' Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 750ml

Product Info

90pts Wine Advocate
Goldschmidt's 2022 The Conspirator Cabernet Sauvignon boasts a slightly lifted, minty scent, which seems to give way over time to reveal more black cherries, cedar and vanilla notes. It's medium- to full-bodied, supple and refreshing on the finish. No, it's not overly concentrated or extracted, nor should consumers think it will age for 20 years, but it's a tasty, easy-drinking Cabernet that can be consumed over the next 10 years or so. Given that many Oakville Cabernets sell for 10 times as much, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon seems like bargain. Drink Date: 2025 - 2034

From his Sonoma-based winery, veteran Kiwi winemaker Nick Goldschmidt is turning out a bevy of labels sourcing Oakville fruit. For simplicity, I've placed them all here, even though a number of them are marketed under different brands, such as Rendition and The Conspirator. This year's releases include Goldschmidt's attempt to run with the big boys, the 2018 Ultimatum Cabernet Sauvignon, priced at $500 per bottle (approximately 50 cases produced). It's a terrific, age-able wine, but I suspect it won't faze serious Oakville producers. But the $28 suggested retail pricing for Rendition, along with the $60 price tags carried by Goldschmidt's two The Conspirator bottlings, will rattle a few Oakville cages. Published: Jun 12, 2025 Reviewed by: Joe Czerwinski

Terroir
This Cabernet Sauvignon is produced by Goldschmidt Vineyards in the prestigious Oakville AVA within Napa Valley, California. The Oakville appellation is renowned for its well-drained, gravelly and ancient alluvial soils, along with warm days and cooling nights that allow Cabernet Sauvignon to achieve full ripeness while retaining acidity and balance. For The Conspirator, the winery sources top-tier blocks that reflect the appellation’s hallmark of depth and finesse, enabling a wine that expresses both fruit richness and structural clarity.

Winemaking & Technical Notes
The 2022 vintage of The Conspirator is positioned as a Cabernet Sauvignon that punches above its price point in Oakville. It is crafted with a focus on ripe concentrated fruit, soft tannin extraction and well-integrated oak. The wine was made “delivering the classic taste of Oakville … with loads of ripe, juicy fruit and soft, supple tannins framed in toasty French oak.” Though full technical specs aren’t published in the source, prior vintages of the label have been described as 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from organically-farmed parcels, aged in French oak — suggesting a winemaking approach oriented toward elegance and ageing potential.

Tasting Notes
In the glass the 2022 The Conspirator presents a deep garnet-ruby colour, signaling concentration and youth. On the nose, vibrant dark fruit aromas dominate: ripe black cherry, plum and boysenberry, accompanied by cedar, mocha and subtle spice. The palate is medium-to-full bodied, rich yet composed. Flavours of blackcurrant and dark plum are complemented by graphite, tobacco leaf and dark chocolate. The tannins are well-shaped, velvet-like yet firmly structured, and a clear underlying acidity gives the wine lift and promise. The finish is long, with lingering dark fruit, toasted oak nuances and a minerally thread that echoes through the aftertaste. “This wine’s elegance, acidity and spice notes complement grilled or roasted dishes…”

Food Pairing & Service
Serve the wine at around 16-18 °C (60-64 °F), ideally allowing 30 minutes of aeration or a brief decant for optimum aromatic expression. This Cabernet Sauvignon pairs beautifully with dishes that mirror its depth and richness: grilled rib-eye or New York strip with herb-garlic butter, roast lamb with rosemary and juniper, or braised short ribs in red-wine reduction. For a vegetarian match, try mushroom- and truffle-risotto or grilled eggplant steaks with smoky roasted pepper sauce. On the cheese board, a mature aged cheddar, Comté or a lightly-smoky gouda will stand up to the wine’s structure and dark fruit profile.