“One of the most exciting new estates in Napa Valley, there is little doubt about that.” – Vinous

We just cannot believe it was just January of this year when we discovered Mythical with the previous vintage of this. Then we saw a couple of their Albariños come and go, fast. With the tiny quantities they make, we made more friends, while quite a lot of Ops, late to the game, keep asking for more.

Another mythical factoid pair: 70% OFF with double the 94 points.

The quality here is hardly a surprise, since it’s made at Perliss Estate. Theirs are wines you “obtain” rather than buy. Hard to get, extremely limited in production, and pricey. Aaron Pott is a huge reason for their success. Per Forbes, “In the world of winemaking, where passion meets precision, few names carry as much weight as Aaron Pott.” Known for his plush, sumptuous, expressive wines made under Greer, Seven Stones, Blackbird, and his own, Pott, he’s one of the best in the game.

Herbert Perliss purchased their Calistoga property 35 years ago, and, with Aaron’s help, he planted a minuscule 2.6-acre vineyard to power their wines. With such a small vineyard to source their estate wines from, Perliss Estate has expanded that vision under the direction of Herbert’s son, Anthony. Together, he and Aaron created the Mythical label to expand beyond their estate confines. They make two wines - this Cabernet, and those equally fascinating Albariños.

This is only the 3rd vintage, and for such an ace year, they shifted sourcing to a dual vineyard approach, both in Rutherford. They may be lesser known because of their small footprint, but the neighbors are big as one would expect from this “tenderloin of Napa” AVA: Just south of Galleron is Alpha Omega, while just north of Star is BV’s Georges de Latour. Plenty of precious DUST, coupled with the deliciously ripe black and purple fruits, a hallmark of the vintage, with plenty of savory depth and massive length to spare.

As Jeb Dunnuck put it best in his barrel impression, “A gorgeous bouquet of red and black fruits, spice, leather, and crushed stone minerality defines the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon. Pure and focused on the palate, it shows an elegant, medium-bodied style, impeccable balance, and a seamless texture that carries through the finish. This beautiful effort will drink nicely right out of the gate.”

Oh, I tell ya, it’s mythically so.

Another key fact that’s plain and clear in this whole story is the LEGENDARY 2023 vintage. “As the fruit began rolling in across the valley, there were whispers of a ‘once in a lifetime’ vintage.” reports The Wine Independent. “Having tasted hundreds of 2023 barrel samples by now and comparing these to all Napa vintages I’ve tasted going back through the 1960s, they might just be right.”

For our price today, you hardly get a sniff from five feet away of anything else made at Perliss Estate. And we’re lucky to have ANY of the 200 or so cases made of this one. Easily one of the best discoveries of 2026, if not EVER in our 2-decade history, to go down as one of the most unbelievable scores.

You saw what happens to a Mythical before… and I’m not talking about dragons or unicorns!

94 Points – Decanter “This Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted from fruit sourced from Star Vineyards and Galleron and aged for 20 months in 30% new French oak. Rich, bold, and dark-fruited, it showcases blackberry fruit alongside graphite, new-wood cedar, and sagebrush aromatics. The medium- to full-bodied palate is supported by structured, robust tannins that are well integrated and resolve cleanly, carrying through to a long finish marked by subtle floral notes. Drink 2026-2046.”

94 Points – Jeb Dunnuck “Coming from two vineyards in Rutherford and based on 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, and the balance Malbec, raised in one-third new oak, the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon has ripe cassis and darker fruits as well as subtle chocolate, Asian spices, and lead pencil notes. It’s medium to full-bodied, with classic Napa Valley character and a pure, balanced, layered mouthfeel. Drink this charming effort over the coming decade. Drink 2025-2035.”