Thousands of cases.

Literally… since we discovered Hawk & Horse exactly FIVE years ago today. To celebrate this landmark, we lined up something truly spectacular. A pick from deep within their library: The 2010 Vintage!!!

Normally $120 direct, but thanks to our precious relationship, you can haul away 3 bottles for just under that budget. And you should, buy more if you can, as it’s a one-and-done deal. Speaking of, we also loaded up the last of their 96-point, 2021 Block Three which you can find here in the Store.

Ahem, where were we? The 2010.

Defined by Vinous as “a fabulous vintage that combines the structure and energy of a cold vintage with the ripeness of a warm year.” This example drinks like a dream now, with the intense tannic structure having mellowed down to sweet submission, with plenty of the tertiary and savory complexity kicking in. The mouthfeel is lush, the midpalate is strong, and the finish is classy. For what you’re paying, direct from the winery cellar, this is a steal you’ll never see from Napa, just to the south…

By the man who made the first Screaming Eagle?! My goodness!

Fair warning: This will NOT drink like your typical youthful Hawk and Horse, with all those years of age on a cooler vintage, think more in Bordeaux terms, in a good way, still fresh of course, albeit with less of the intensely voluptuous fruit and more of the subtly complex nuances of age in fine Cabernets. Easily the single most popular winery in our storied 18 years - and we’ve had but a handful of library wines like this…

First, the winemaker, Dr. Richard Peterson. Before Heidi Barrett came on board, it was her dad, Dr. Peterson, who led the first four vintages of Screaming Eagle into cult stardom. That’s not all. He also took André Tchelistcheff’s post at Beaulieu Vineyards while helping develop Atlas Peak Vineyards and presides over numerous institutions, including the American Society for Enology & Viticulture, The Wine Institute, Society of Wine Educators, and American Institute for Wine and Food. Oh, he is also the author of an award-winning autobiography, “The Winemaker.” Just… WOW!

Second, we have the Red Hills - a little-known (for now) appellation named for its red volcanic soils. It sits just north of Napa, in Lake County - about ten miles north of Howell Mountain in fact. Here you’ll find some exceedingly high-quality Cabernet without the “Napa tax.” There’s a reason why visionaries like Schrader, Derenoncourt, and Beckstoffer have been quietly investing here. Also, this gem comes from THE TENDERLOIN BLOCK off the already small 18-acre Demeter Certified Biodynamic® estate vineyard perched at 2,200 feet elevation.

The only accolades this has are a shining 98 Points as Best in Class, Best of Show at the Sommeliers’ Challenge International Wine Competition, along with FOUR Golds from various competitions, plus this Jancis Robinson note from way back in 2015, “Coconuts and plums, rich and satisfying on the nose …there is a rich tangy dried-quince spread with lots of citrus peel woven into the very emphatic, velvet-clad tannic framework. Cassis more than blackcurrants; licorice and liqueur lingering on the tongue… drawing it up tight and fresh.”

Well, it’s a whole lot more than that now, so get down on it!