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Napa by N.A.P.A., Michael's Red 2015
RedUnited States2015
By Daniel Min · Tasted 2019-12-05 · Published 2026-09-14 · Updated 2026-09-14
At a glance
None listed on Vivino · no formal review found from a major outlet
Market note: The N.A.P.A. line honors four siblings — Natalie, Anthony, Paul and Anne. Michael's Red and Bianca's White were added later, named for the younger siblings who joined the family business. The 2015 vintage's 4.0 beats the label's overall 3.7 — one of the better vintages on record.
What this wine is
N.A.P.A. is a brand out of the fifth-generation family winery Scotto Family Wines. The name works two ways at once: it's the place, Napa Valley, and it's also the initials of the sibling generation — Natalie, Anthony, Paul and Anne. Two more wines were added later for younger siblings who joined the business afterward: Michael's Red, for the youngest brother, and Bianca's White, for the youngest sister.
Michael's Red is a blend built mainly around Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Barbera — reportedly aged separately in French oak for 17 months per variety, then blended and rested six more (exact proportions aren't confirmed). Alcohol is 13.9%. It's a soft style of plum and black cherry layered with vanilla oak and chocolate; the 2015 vintage won 'Best of Appellation' at the 2019 California State Fair.
What the world says
I couldn't find a formal review from Wine Spectator, Wine Advocate or similar outlets, and there's no critic score listed on Vivino either — typical of a wine sold more through family-brand direct channels and smaller retail than big national distribution.
On Vivino, the 2015 vintage averages 4.0 across 77 ratings, with 77% at 4 stars or above. The label overall (all vintages, 1,228 ratings) sits lower, at 3.7 — this vintage outperforms it. The keywords lead with oak, vanilla and chocolate (122 mentions), then plum and black cherry (55), then cherry and red fruit (38). Structurally, intensity is 4.8/5 — among the highest of any wine covered in this magazine — with tannin at 3.1 and acidity at 3.7: powerful but still with some acid backbone.
"Very good red blend especially for the price. Bought at Harris Teeter in November 2019 for $9.83 but valued on Vivino at $16.50." — Vivino review, Jan 2020
"Smooth bold, love it." — Vivino review, Nov 2025
"Red blend with cherry, plum, vanilla and cocoa enhancements." — Vivino review, Nov 2019
How I drank it
December 5, 2019, 4 stars. The note is "Real Cherry."
One of four Napa and Chilean bottles I logged that day. Stag's Leap ARTEMIS Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 got 4.5, this Michael's Red got 4, and two Montes bottles — Limited Selection Cabernet Sauvignon–Carmenère 2017 and Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 — both got 3.5. All four appear together in this magazine.
My 4 lines up almost exactly with the 2015 vintage's community average of 4.0. Since there's no formal critic score to weigh it against, the Vivino community is the only benchmark here, and on that benchmark I landed dead center. There's no re-tasting on record.
Vivino community data
2015 vintage rating distribution (77 ratings, average 4.0)
| 5★ | 15 (19%) | |
| 4★ | 44 (57%) | |
| 3★ | 15 (19%) | |
| 2★ | 1 (1%) | |
| 1★ | 2 (3%) |
Most-mentioned aromas
| Family | Mentions | Top keywords |
|---|---|---|
| Oak | 122 | oak 46 · vanilla 42 · chocolate 29 · tobacco 4 · mocha 1 |
| Black fruit | 55 | plum 25 · black cherry 10 · dark fruit 6 · blackberry 4 · jam 4 |
| Red fruit | 38 | cherry 23 · red fruit 6 · red cherry 4 · raspberry 2 · strawberry 2 |
| Earth & leather | 18 | cocoa 11 · leather 6 · earthy 1 |
| Spice | 10 | pepper 8 · black licorice 1 · licorice 1 |
| Dried fruit | 8 | fig 3 · dried fruit 2 · raisin 2 · dragon fruit 1 |
Structure: Acidity 3.7/5 · Intensity 4.8/5 · Tannin 3.1/5 · Sweetness 1.8/5
Average by vintage (all vintages: 1228 ratings, average 3.7)
| Vintage | Average | Ratings |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 3.6 | 166 |
| 2013 | 3.8 | 114 |
| 2015 | 4.0 | 77 |
| 2017 | 3.8 | 633 |
| 2019 | 3.7 | 60 |
My original note (Vivino, 2019-12-05)
“Real Cherry”
Frequently asked questions
What kind of wine is Napa by N.A.P.A., Michael's Red?
A full-bodied red blend from the Scotto family's Napa Valley winery. Mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Barbera, each aged separately in French oak for 17 months before blending. 13.9% alcohol, a style of plum and black cherry layered with vanilla and chocolate; Vivino 4.0 (2015 vintage, 77 ratings).
What does N.A.P.A. stand for?
It's both the place — Napa Valley — and the initials of the fifth-generation Scotto siblings: Natalie, Anthony, Paul and Anne. Michael's Red and Bianca's White were added later for younger siblings who joined the family business.
How much does it cost?
US$18 per 750ml ex-tax (Wine-Searcher, last listed Dec 2020).
Why doesn't it have a formal critic score?
As a family-run brand sold more through direct and smaller retail channels than major national distribution, it hasn't come up in the outlets that typically publish formal reviews. The 2015 vintage did win 'Best of Appellation' at the 2019 California State Fair.