Psst… Did you snatch some of the Castellucci? We told you it was going to sell out.

Don’t worry, we lined up another “money” wine. As in, putting MONEY BACK IN YOUR POCKET!

Sylvie Estate may not be a household name. If you were lucky enough to grab some of the 2019 or 2021 before they SOLD OUT, then you know this may be the best kept secret in Napa! It is an ultra-rare Cabernet Sauvignon from some of the best land in Oakville. But their vineyard is less than one acre in size!

This one, with 96 Points (plus a trio of glowing 94’s), is their BEST OFFER YET!

Over $100 OFF?! You know what to do. There’s no need to read on…

Still here? Let’s review the details:

To begin with, just over three barrels were made. And the 0.7-acre vineyard? Flanked on all sides by Oakville titans like Rudd, Tench, Dalla Valle, Phelp’s Backus Vineyard, Garguilo.

The wine is sold exclusively to their mailing list - most days. Oh, and one local restaurant you may know: The French Laundry!

The aforementioned Tench, Backus, and Dalla Valle all sell for $200 or (much) more. Sylvie at $165 clocks in less already. But we weren’t joking – let’s go ahead and tuck a Benjamin and then some back in your pocket!

The heavy glass, thick papyrus-like label, and hand-numbered bottles hint at what you should expect here. And the comparison with those pricey neighbors isn’t made lightly. This is PURE luxury. Oozing with black fruit, spice, and dark chocolate notes gripped by firm tannins, this beauty is well worth the full SRP!

“With less than 100 cases produced each vintage, I suspect direct from the winery will be the only option to acquire it.” explains the Wine Advocate. “The property is in a very special part of Napa Valley – slightly elevated and on the eastern side Oakville. Like many of their neighbors, the soils are iron rich and orange/red in color with plenty of rocks. This is a premium vineyard neighborhood; nearby wineries or vineyard neighbors include Dalla Valle, Rudd Estate, Joseph Phelps’ Backus Vineyard and Gargiulo Vineyards.” the Napa Valley Wine Project elaborates.

It is the epitome of top-tier passion-project micro-production estate wine. The Lopez family first planted their vineyard in 1989, inspired by their famous neighbors. For years they supplied premium Cabernet Sauvignon grapes to iconic wineries such as Caymus, Lewis, and Cardinale. But since 2010 they have kept everything for themselves.

Naming the label Sylvie, they brought on a dream team to oversee the production. Founding winemaker Kurt Niznik is not a flashy guy, but his resumé is – after working with consultant Philippe Melka at Caldwell Vineyards to produce wine for nineteen clients, he went on to make wine for the Mondavi Family, helping them build Continuum and transition from purchased to estate fruit.

To oversee growing at the Lopez Family Vineyard, he brought on Kendall Smith, who was then vineyard manager for one of Napa’s first cult classics, Grace Family Vineyards.

The terroir and expertise come together in the bottle. It pours and opaque purple, overflowing with blackberry, blueberry, and cherry fruit. Undertones of pepper, baking chocolate, toast, wild herbs, and earth add a symphony of complexity. Broad shouldered and powerfully built, it moves with grace and refinement. It begs for a place in your cellar! As Jeb Dunnuck calls out, “Hide bottles for 4-5 years if you can, and it should have two decades of overall longevity.”

There are a lot of wineries in Napa Valley. But the number that produce less than 100 cases a year is miniscule. We can only think of a couple, and their prices are stratospheric. Fueled by passion and the love of their terroir, you just don’t find wines like Sylvie…

There isn’t enough of it to go around. Because single-vineyard, small-production, organically farmed Oakville Cabernet at this price!? With so little made, and a fraction of that in our possession this will almost surely sell out in hours…

96 Points – The Wine Independent “The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, with 2% Petit Verdot in the blend, is deep garnet-purple in color. It tumbles out with ready-to-go notes of juicy plums, blackcurrant cordial, and raspberry pie giving way to hints of spice cake, tobacco leaf, and red roses. The full-bodied palate is in a nice place, with plenty of black fruit offset by mature/savory nuances and a plush texture, finishing with impressive length. Drink 2026-2048.”

94+ Points – Wine Advocate “There are only 73 cases of Sylvie’s 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, the latest release from this micro-vineyard just east of the Silverado Trail. A mix of red and black cherries appear on the nose, joined by hints of cedar, loamy earth and grilled meat. It’s full-bodied, concentrated and firmly built despite its impressive ripeness, with a long finish and what appears to be some potential to improve over the next decade or so. Drink 2026-2040.”

94+ Points – Jeb Dunnuck “Coming all from Oakville and raised 22 months in barrels, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich, concentrated, serious wine that’s surprisingly tight and backward for a 2019. Darker currants, iron, black olive, tobacco leaf, and a gorgeous sense of minerality define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a concentrated, powerful, inward profile, building tannins, and a great finish. It’s mostly potential at the moment, but it has lot of potential! Hide bottles for 4-5 years if you can, and it should have two decades of overall longevity. Drink 2028-2048.”

94 Points – James Suckling “Ripe, blue-fruited character with notes of violets, dried herbs, black olives, sandalwood and graphite. Medium- to full-bodied with a fresh, crunchy nature. Silky and refined tannins melt together with the beautiful fruit. Delicious. Long and mineral finish. Drink or hold.”