“Grassi is one of my favorite under the radar producers in Napa Valley… Best of all, the wines remain very fairly priced considering the quality of what is in the glass.” - Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Wines like this make the hunt worth it. MANY such “under the radar” producers exist in Napa, albeit FEW worth putting on a pedestal…

If you like your Special Selections, your Insignias, and other big gun Napa Cabs, you will love this. Even if you don’t know it just yet.

You will recall what happened to the Lewis Cab that came and went during that last CellarStocker event, all that wine lasted minutes, well, the winemaker who put Lewis on the map makes this Grassi too, Robbie Meyer of L’Angevin and Peirson Meyer. He also has Peter Michael, Del Dotto, Malk Family, to name a few more under his belt. True insiders know that whatever Robbie takes on turns to gold. It’s clearly the case with Grassi.

Back to Galloni who nails why so: “The Grassi family excels with rich, sumptuous Cabernets that deliver terrific value, especially within the context of Napa Valley. At their best, the Grassi Cabernets possess a level of pure exuberance that is impossible to resist.”

Mark Grassi has his hand on the construction site of many premier wineries in Napa - Ovid for one. He bought some land off Soda Canyon Road at the base of Atlas Peak in 1989 and started developing it with the help of Harlan Estate vineyard manager Mary Maher and Peter Franus.

It receives a similar obsessive treatment as the previously mentioned blue chip Cabs - hand-sorted, whole berry fermented in 65% new French oak. It’s an unmistakable “California Cabernet” style with a DEEP, mouthcoating opulence. Bold blackberry jam and chocolate-coated black cherries take center stage with enticing layers of vanilla, violets, earthy, fresh leather, and spice rounding it out and adding depth. Pure Cult Napa at its soul, but it has enough Old-World character to please even the die-hard Bordeaux aficionados. As a reference point, if you scored that Frog’s Leap we offered a while back, you know what we’re talking about.

And you’ll love it even more at our world’s best price. Even their 2016 is sold out at the winery, and older vintages too just about everywhere else (except for a $130 listing for this 2014, but that’s it!).

We wish there was more to go around. Sadly this won’t last.

92 Points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous

“The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is a dense, dark wine for the year, although stylistically, the Grassi Cabernets are medium in body and overall structure by Napa Valley standards. Lavender, sage, savory herbs, menthol and underbrush notes build into the juicy, pliant finish. This bold, fruit-driven Cabernet Sauvignon will drink well with minimal cellaring. Dollops of Merlot and Cabernet Franc round out the blend. Drink 2017-2024.”