Napa Valley is known for producing some of the finest wines in the world. With its beautiful landscape and ideal climate for grape growing, it's no surprise that many top wine connoisseurs consider Napa Valley to be the best place for wine making. 

But what makes a Napa Valley vintage truly exceptional? In this article, we'll take a look at some of the best Napa Valley vintages and what makes them stand out from the rest. First, let's define what we mean by "vintage." A vintage refers to the year in which the grapes were harvested to make the wine. In general, the quality of a wine is determined by a combination of factors, including the weather during the growing season, the skill of the winemaker, and the type of grapes used. 

One of the best Napa Valley vintages in recent memory was the 1997 vintage. This was a year that saw ideal weather conditions, with warm days and cool nights providing the perfect balance for the grapes to ripen. The result was a crop of grapes that were full of flavor and had excellent acidity. Another great Napa Valley vintage was the 2005 vintage. This was a year that saw a long, warm growing season, which allowed the grapes to develop deep, rich flavors. The wines from this vintage are known for their bold, full-bodied character and have been highly praised by critics. 

The 2012 vintage is also considered to be a standout year for Napa Valley wines. This year saw a warm, dry growing season, which allowed the grapes to ripen fully and develop intense flavors. The wines from this vintage are known for their rich, complex character and have been highly rated by wine experts. 

Overall, the best Napa Valley vintages are those that see ideal weather conditions during the growing season. These conditions allow the grapes to develop deep, rich flavors and create wines that are full of character and complexity. Whether you're a wine connoisseur or just looking to try some of the best wines that Napa Valley has to offer, be sure to seek out wines from these exceptional vintages.