***WINE FUTURE SHIPPING EARLY FEBRUARY***
What better way to kick off the new year than with a mountain Cabernet of the highest order?
In the southern Mayacamas Mountains on Napa Valley's western flank, the rugged terrain and high-elevation growing conditions of Mt. Veeder yield some of the lowest tons per acre in the entire region – each precious bottling tends to be a labor-intensive masterpiece. Here, a tiny group of iconoclastic producers account for just 1% of Napa’s total annual crop, and have a reputation for crafting wild, powerful Cabernets. Hunted by serious collectors for their immense ageworthiness, the scarcity of these rare treasures often pushes bottle prices into the triple digits, with availability limited to exclusive clubs or allocation programs. It’s been a long time coming for the right wine from this AVA to present itself, but with the industry finding itself at a bit of a crossroads, we’ve recently secured one of the top beauties at a stunning price.
Lot 527 is a classic exemplar of mountain terroir and has long been a darling of the major critics, garnering 94+ points year over year. Artfully crafted by a virtuoso with prior experience at some of the biggest names in Napa and Sonoma, this Cabernet Sauvignon is augmented with splashes of a few other Bordelaise varieties which must remain undisclosed per our deal terms. Fetching north of $125/bottle under the original label, we did what we do best and landed an unbelievable score for our customers at OVER 75% OFF! Yes, you read that correctly – Mt. Veeder Cabernet for barely $26/bottle.
Our price: $159/6-pack, $26+/bottle.
Our source’s steeply terraced vineyard is perched well above the fog line, yet still benefits from the cool maritime influences off San Pablo Bay to the south, imbuing the wine with uniquely approachable tannins for a mountain Cabernet. Across one of the longest growing seasons in Napa, the grapes gradually ripen and build layers of concentration. The soils are calcareous – the result of an ancient seabed uplifted by thousands upon thousands of years of violent tectonic activity. Grapes were hand-picked, hand-sorted, and destemmed, then small lots were fermented separately before aging for 22 months in 60% new French oak.
The wine pours a deep ruby, with aromas of black cherry and figs dancing around a cassis core. Accents of spice and black pepper are followed by secondary notes of crushed stone, capsicum, and violets. On the palate, mountain-concentrated dark cherries and shaved cocoa meld seamlessly with dark chocolate and cedar. Barrel-influenced spice is expertly integrated, complementing the wine’s medium-plus acidity and finely polished tannins. The finish is long and harmonious, resonating with dark cherries and plum sauce alongside vanilla bean and uplifted spice.
