“Hats off to this estate.” – Jeb Dunnuck

Sometimes, it’s right there under your nose. Who is Evidence? …we asked when the opportunity landed. Popped the corks, and the rest is history.

Profound. Astonishing. Superb. Our panel was in disbelief. Who are these people? There had to be more “evidence” to help explain why these were some of the best we’d ever seen from Napa’s mountains. So, in full spy curiosity mode, we dove in. The more we found, the more it all made sense.

At this point, we could just throw down Mt. Veeder (again), add the 95-97 scores PLUS a 40% OFF onto the story, go home, and watch them sell out, but that would be LAZY.

Where were we? Per Napa Wine Project “we have heard a number of stories behind the names of wine brands in Napa Valley, but this is one of the more unique narratives.” It all began before the turn of this century, in Chicago, between two bartending buddies, Jason Court and Chris Carpenter. Yes, that Chris Carpenter, behind some of Napa’s most heralded mountain wines: Cardinale, Lokoya, Mt. Brave, La Jota… Staying in touch, they went on to climb their own peaks. While Jason conquered the film industry, Chris, well, you know…

In 2002, when Jason needed a change, Chris opened the doors for him. For the next 7 years, he learned the ropes from Chris. Inspired by a potentially fake pallet of Cardinale that was actually marked “evidence” he was ready to launch his own brand. With his connections, sourcing the best possible fruit was the easy part. Partnering with Mariano Navarro, former vineyard manager of Cardinale and Lokoya, he focused on two distinct sites in Mt. Veeder and Coombsville.

Fast forward to today. When Jason decided to take on new ventures in the movie business, we were able to snag what’s left of the Evidence project; don’t ask how. We simply can’t afford to provide that evidence.

Yet here they are, this library gem, and his (final) 2021 vintages, here in the Store while they last.

97 Points – Jeb Dunnuck “The 2018 Evidence Cabernet Sauvignon Bruadair Vineyard comes from a higher elevation site on Mount Veeder and is all Clone 337. It’s another deep purple-hued effort from this estate that offers a gorgeous perfume of crème de cassis, wildflowers, mountain scrub brush, cedar pencil, and graphite, with some background chocolaty oak nuances emerging with time in the glass. This beauty stays focused and precise, with full-bodied richness, ripe tannins, terrific overall balance, and a great finish. It benefits from plenty of air and should have 20-25 years of overall longevity. It’s a beautiful mountain Cabernet from this great vintage. Drink 2022-2047.”

96 Points – James Suckling “Blackberry, pinecone, tar and wet earth. Ink, too. Medium to full body with integrated tannins that are dense, yet agile at the same time. Creamy, really long and polished. Fine, velvety tannins. Extremely beautiful and tailored. Drinkable now, but three or four years of bottle age will make it even better. Try after 2025.”

95 Points – Wine Enthusiast “This showcases the feral mountainous nature of the appellation well, blending 15% Malbec into a polished, cohesive whole. Juicy black cherry and cassis adorn a soft, well-integrated palate of powerful intensity and lasting elegance, the oak prominent and yet never in the way.”