Mission Codename In it to win it
In the past couple years, a few offers stand out as being so spectacular they border on madness.
Like last year we brought you one of Essere Franco’s flagship Napa Valley reds, which retails over $200. We dropped it at a madness-inducing 70% off.
And then there’s this blockbuster.
A total showstopper of a red blend, a 92-point rated powerhouse, priced at $150 on release. And… um, available today at $55 from us?! That’s 95 BUCKS KNOCKED OFF! We hope your body is ready to receive this lush, hedonistic blend in all its glory. The price, the quality, the sheer opulence will rock you to your core.
The D’Ambrosio family has a long history of entrepreneurship and grape growing in Napa. With winemaker Tom Foster at the helm, they’re pumping out some serious wines. And he totally nailed this one, which is no surprise given his deep experience at Opus One, Groth, and Lewis Cellars prior. And he worked some serious magic into this blend of Cabernet, Malbec, and Petit Verdot, in undisclosed proportions as the formula is super-proprietary, yet all hailing from the near-perfect 2016 vintage.
The nearly ten-pound, ultra-thick glass bottle hints at what’s inside. Flashy and expressive. Deep and rich. Once you get this in your mouth it’ll be like Splash Mountain sending you headlong into a palate-soaking pool of blackberry jam, warm cherry pie, melted dark chocolate, and vanilla crème. Lavish oak and supple tannins carry along with a mellow, lengthy finish and then the next sip starts the adventure all over again. This deserves a special, hearty meal - beef Wellington or pappardelle tossed with braised short ribs perhaps?
At over 60% off, you won’t see this one come around again because we didn’t get enough. Jump in and get yours before it’s gone!
92 Points – Wine & Spirits
“Fragrant, with blueberry-skin density, floral notes, and gingery spice, this wine blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Petit Verdot into the rich savor of unsweetened dark chocolate. The warmth of alcohol drives its intensity, built for long-braised beef.”
Tasting Profile
Blackberry jam, warm cherry pie, melted dark chocolate
Look | A fire engine red intense glowing narrow rim quickly darkens to Batman black |
---|---|
Smell | Blackberry jam, warm cherry pie, melted dark chocolate, and vanilla crème |
Taste | Flashy and expressive, deep and rich, like diving into a palate-soaking pool |
Finish | Lavish oak and supple tannins carry along with a mellow, lengthy finish |
Pairing | Beef Wellington or pappardelle tossed with braised short ribs perhaps? |
What the Winery Says
2016 'No. 1' Napa Valley Winemaker's Blend
- Winemaker
- Tom Foster
- Secret recipe:
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec
- Vintage
- 2016
- Alcohol
- 15.2%
- Appellation
- Napa Valley
- Clones
- 4, 338, 15, 191, 400
- Rootstock
- 5C, 101-14
- Total acidity
- 0.56 g/L
- pH
- 3.85
- Harvest dates
- September 28, October 10 & 12, 2016
- Aging
- 18 months
- Barrels
- 75% new French oak
- Bottling date
- August 3, 2018
- Production
- 8 barrels