Deep Cover: Like a crazed crowd after the final song at an epic show, all we’ve heard lately is chants of “More Mt. Brave! More Mt. Brave!”

Okay, okay, maybe not all but definitely MOST Ops have been asking for MORE BRAVE, so here we go…

This one comes from a hidden crevice in the library cave. The vintage is 2014, BABY! Made by the legendary Chris Carpenter (Lokoya, Cardinale, La Jota…) Our price is (bleep) and way, WAY below his other wines, while you still get the same full-throttle style, towering structure, and overall neuron-blasting enjoyment factor. Oh, and this is the Malbec, one that gives many a Cab run for the money and makes Mendoza’s best blush.

Chris has been making great wines for years now, and they always come stacked with big scores from the critics. If you want to learn more about him, here’s a great read.

Mt. Brave is a younger project, and comes from what was once the Chateau Potelle Vineyard “VGS”. If you’re old enough to remember Potelle, you already know what a special property it is - and the rugged hillside fruit produces “Very Good $hit” to this day.

Serious Bordeaux varietal fans- skipping this is unimaginable. Per Vinous “Today the 2014s come across as a bit slender, with terrific energy, minerality and nuance. Time has been a benefit, as the 2014s continue to grow… This is a compelling set of wines from Jackson Family Wines’ Mt. Brave label from vineyards on Mt. Veeder. Best of all, the wines remain reasonably priced within the context of Napa Valley. The 2014 Malbec is another bold, punchy wine from Mt. Brave. Rich and voluptuous, the 2014 offers notable intensity in its dark red fruit. Soft tannins add to the wine’s plush, radiant feel. Even with all of its fruit intensity, the 2014 will drink well with minimal cellaring.”

And it does! Go ahead and add at least a couple more points to those early scores below, on us. Will continue to for another decade, so no need to rush, but it’s oh-so-yummy now. Grab as much as you can, you’ll be happy you did.

93 Points – Wine Advocate “This is a relatively new estate for the Jackson family, with their well-known Lokoya, Cardinale and La Jota winemaker, Chris Carpenter, looking after these wines from Mt. Veeder. The 2014 Malbec may well turn out to be one of the best Malbecs California has made to date. A blend of 96% Malbec and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 53% new French oak, the wine has a dense purple color and a big nose of chocolate, blackberry, espresso bean and spice. It has plenty of intensity, full body, silky tannin and adequate acidity. Drink it over the next 12-15 years. Drink 2016-2031.”

92 Points – Jeb Dunnuck “Possessing an inky, glass staining purple color, the 2014 Malbec has classic Malbec blue fruits as well as terrific minerality in its crushed rock, liquid violet, and graphite aromas and flavors. With medium to full-bodied richness, a fresh, vibrant style, and nicely integrated tannin and acidity, you can safely drink this beauty anytime over the coming decade or more. Drink 2018-2028.”