We wish we could tell you the name of a superstar 100-point winemaker behind this masterfully made Cabernet. Or that it scored 95+ from every major wine publication. Or that it sprouts unicorns from the ground when drizzled on soil…

We can’t. But here’s the deal…

While we are not being told a whole lot about this privately made Reserve Cabernet, one thing’s for sure - it was never meant to hit the open market. Evidently, the well-heeled client who commissioned the striking silk screen label also required the neck be dipped in REAL gold. Yet with things as they were, the deal did not go through, they cellared the wine all these years, and we finally convinced them to move it discreetly.

So, we tasted it alongside some heavy-hitting Cabernet - including a couple VERY good $100-125 bottles. And WOW. It’s good. REAL good. Is this Mondavi Reserve? Phelps Insignia perhaps? Because man, it sure as hell tastes of serious pedigree. DUMBFOUNDINGLY DELICIOUS. We had fairly low expectations, but it left every one of us totally shell-shocked.

The freshness. The polish…Even with over a decade of age, we all remarked on the incredibly youthful fruit and perfectly integrated oak. In fact, just a few months ago Lisa Perrotti-Brown of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate noted the profound development of the 2009 vintage, saying she “added a decade or more onto the previous estimates. Given the sturdy, ripe structures and lingering primary fruit apparent in many of the best wines, I’m confident that a lot of the 2009s still have fantastic cellaring potential”.

No doubt, this stuff is simply rocking with gorgeous red currant, black cherry, sweet tobacco and toasted vanilla bean. Surprisingly lush. Astoundingly fresh. Has years to go…but just sooo polished and buttery smooth right now, and in a perfect window for maximum enjoyment. Dollar for dollar - you won’t find a better example of 10+ year old Napa Cabernet.

Now here’s the bad news. Only 900 bottles were made. Barely enough for an offer and there’s a 100% chance it sells out before lunch. Secure a bottle or six and you’ll be among the very few in the universe who have this special wine.

And at THAT price? Way under $30 for perfectly aged vintage Napa Cab? Dipped in gold???

Never to be seen again once it’s gone. The countdown is on… 5… 4… 3… 2… 1… sold out!

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate on the 2009 vintage:

“2009 was an outstanding year for Napa Valley Cabernets, I was generally very excited about the slow, graceful development displayed by many of the wines. And “graceful” is also a good word to describe the style of the vintage. The growing season was relatively slow and steady—warm to hot, although not baking hot and with few days over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This, in many cases, equated to beautifully plush tannins at moderate alcohol levels, well-balanced acidity and a wide array of perfumed aroma / flavor compounds. In terms of drinking windows, I have updated these for all the 2009s I tasted. In many cases, I added a decade or more onto the previous estimates. Given the sturdy, ripe structures and lingering primary fruit apparent in many of the best wines, I’m confident that a lot of the 2009s still have fantastic cellaring potential and should give a lot of joy for many years to come. Enjoy!”