“Talks of history.” – James Suckling

We’ve said it before, but it’s double-true of this brilliant 2021. If we had to force you to buy one wine this year, this might be it.

If you’re one of our many Cab aficionados and have been Cali-Rhône-curious, maybe looking for a little variation in a FULL-BODIED RED, this is the path to enlightenment.

NOT TO MENTION, you’d pay $75 for this any other day of the year. We’re busting it out for an absurdly honest $29!! Ultra small production, insanely high quality, made by a pro, from a top vineyard - it has it all.

Let’s break it down. The McGah Vineyard is a magical, legendary site in Rutherford on the Oakville border literally surrounded by Beckstoffer vineyards. Only a few select producers work with this fruit – Bevan, Fayard, and Scarlett being the best known. And while a bottle of Bevan McGah Vineyard Cab can set you back $300+, just to underline it, here’s the same vineyard, and yes, its different grapes, but also a 100 Point winemaker…

AND LESS THAN $30!

Now, if you’ve knabbed some of Kale’s wines from us in the past, you know – and you’re already checking out. If not, you may not know who Kale Anderson is (and yes, his first name is Kale). But maybe you know Colgin, Cliff Lede, or Terra Valentine, some of the places he has made wine.

And you surely know of Pahlmeyer where Kale as head winemaker crafted their epic 2013 Piece de Resistance, AKA their first 100-pointer. That cemented his legacy, as the youngest winemaker (only 35 at the time!) to attain a perfect score from Robert Parker!

For the twelve years, when not consulting for numerous clients in Napa, he’s focused on small-lot, hand-crafted wines under his own label. He only makes about a thousand cases a year. And just over 10 barrels of this wine. Not much makes it outside his tasting room or mailing list - and this is exactly the kind of locals-only deal we LOVE to bring to our Operatives.

Do you like wild raspberry jam? Strawberry rhubarb pie and figs? Hints of cinnamon roll, smoked meats, baked plums, and more find their way into the energetic mosh pit of flavors. Velvety, rich, and heady… hedonistic even. Shows the intensity, power, polish, and richness to make ALL of you happy without knocking your palate around. Full-bodied, but with a silken finesse that lingers long. Seriously, this wine is dangerous in a way that will make you swear there is hole in the bottle.

Fortunately, at this price, you can grab more than a bottle!

At least, the ones who move quickly enough to get more than one. After we pillaged a few cases, there’s not much of this gem…

94-95 Points – James Suckling “There’s real grenache and mourvedre character here with dried-berry, bark and moss aromas and flavors. Dried strawberries and dried flowers come through at the end. Talks of history.”

93 Points – Wine Advocate “Kale’s 2021 McGah Vineyard Heritage showcases the value that exists in Napa for consumers willing to reach beyond Cabernet Sauvignon and its kin. A blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre, this offers up gently perfumed scents of strawberries, rose petals and ground cardamom on the nose, while being full-bodied but delicate, marked by fine-grained tannins that capture Grenache’s silky nature. Long and vibrant on the finish, it’s a beauty that should drink well for up to a decade. Drink 2025-2033.”

93 Points – The Wine Palate “The 2021 Heritage Grenache is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvedre. Pale to medium garnet-purple colored, it prances out with showy scents of kirsch, raspberry pie, and dried roses, followed by hints of white pepper, Indian spices, garrigue, and dusty soil. Full-bodied, the palate is plush and juicy with bags of red berry preserves flavors and exotic spices flavors and soft acidity, finishing on a lingering peppery note. Drink 2025-2038.”