Ok, full mea culpa here…we knew the “Audace” would not last long. Only 150 cases made! So…apologies if you missed it but congratulations if you scored some. With infinite foresight, we knew the thirst would continue so we landed a smaller amount of one more.

When we came across V. Vineyards, our first thought was “who?” After all, they’re making only a few hundred cases of wine from the Sonoma side of the Mayacamas Mountains, everything about them seems a little bit remote.

BUT… When you tell us that Jean Hoefliger - famed protégée of the world’s most in-demand wine consultant (Michel Rolland) and former winemaker for Alpha Omega Winery in Rutherford—is heading up the cellar, you definitely have our attention.

And when critic James Suckling gave the wine 97 points and raved that it was “pure,” “beautiful,” and “impressive,” NOW you have our interest. And after tasting it? Just as Darth Vader said when he first encountered Luke Skywalker’s Jedi skills, all we could say was “MOST impressive!”

Owners Gina and Steve Viets weren’t looking for wine fame when they bought the land that would become V. Vineyards; they were just looking for an off-the-beaten-path spot to raise their kids. When they discovered that their hillside home once sported vines in the 1800s, they decided to rekindle its winegrowing past. They likely had no idea of the true value of the vinous goldmine they were sitting on!

The list price for V. Vineyards’ 2021 ‘Single Vineyard’ Estate Cab is $90, but if it came from just a mile on the other side of the hill, where it could slap “Napa Valley” on the label, it’d go for at least twice that price. The complexity at first sniff—dried violets, rich and juicy red berries, sagebrush, sandalwood, graphite—is enough to justify it. In the mouth: impeccable. The balance between mouth-coating, plummy fruit, jaunty acidity, concentration, and supple tannins would make most Napa Cab lovers’ heads explode.

Most impressive, indeed. This Cab even gets the rock-star Napa-like treatment in the cellar: 22 months barrel aging in 100% French oak (80% new). The only reason it doesn’t list for $200+ is that the vineyard sits on the “Dark Side” of that county line!

A Cab this impressive, of course, deserves an equally impressive discount: 45% if you grab it now! Be like Vader… come to the Dark Side… the Cab is soooo much better here!

96 Points – The Wine Independent “The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, with 13% Petit Verdot in the blend, comes from a single vineyard on the Sonoma side of Spring Mountain. Deep garnet-purple in color, it comes roaring out of the glass with intense blackcurrant cordial, plum preserves, and juicy blueberries, plus hints of chocolate mint and tar. The medium to full-bodied palate is jam packed with taut, muscular black fruit layers, framed by firm, fine-grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and minerally. Drink 2026-2048.”

95 Points – Decanter “On the Sonoma side of Spring Mountain from V. Vineyards, it is wonderfully fresh, savoury, and balanced Cabernet Sauvignon with 17% Petit Verdot. Wild herbs, dried violets, blueberry skin and black cherry fruit laced with tobacco spices all lift from the glass. Medium- to full-bodied with satiny fruits with a deep concentration on the palate. Rolling through layers of kirsch, candied Bing cherry, violet pastille, and blueberry compote. Long, focused, and fragrant, supported by long beams of cedarwood tannins and vivacious acidity. Drink 2024-2040.”