“Galerie is a relatively new label in the Jackson Family Wines portfolio. Winemaker Laura Díaz Muñoz crafts wines of real pedigree and nuance.” - Vinous

Cab of the year? Possibly. Too early for that? Definitely a contender though.

Why? Not only because it’s oh-so-good. At $65-70, it shows the “you-don’t-wanna-know-how-expensive” façade of Napa Valley as an affordable alternative. With our best anywhere 45% OFF deal today, it qualifies as a GIFT, however, for all practical purposes. Crowned a colossal 96 points by Jeb Dunnuck, as “a sexy, flamboyant beauty” in a “pleasure-bent style.”

Funny, that’s EXACTLY how we like our Cab - pleasure bending, head spinning, palate-pleasing. It’s all here.

No wonder the superstar behind is Laura Díaz Muñoz, the current winemaker and GM at Ehlers Estate, and a protégé of 100-point winemaker Chris Carpenter, having cut her teeth at Lokoya, Cardinale, and La Jota. The winemaking here is impeccable, as what’s in the glass shows.

Deep full ruby emanates from the glass with a brilliant purple rim. Elemental, the particularly primary nose features grapey blackberry, licorice, and violet pastille. Big, sweet, broad, and creamy; a vastly powerful Cab with an instant hedonistic appeal, through the dominance of dark chocolate and minerals. Finishes with a compelling sweetness of fruit, and finessed tannins that sneak up on the palate. While it’s the definitive fatty protein accompaniment, that pronounced cocoa side would also marry a flourless ganache cake as the ultimate companion.

In sum, a super sleek, polished, purely unabashed 100% Cab. Sourced from THE Cardinale estate, along with Bosché (of Freemark Abbey fame), Stagecoach (made famous by Paul Hobbs) and Red Hen (owned by the Araujos), and a few other select sites. In other words, you just won’t find a single drop of anything but extraordinary terroir in there! Pleinair, in French, means “to paint outdoors” which is exactly what this wine accomplishes, painting the best of Napa on one canvas.

Perfect provenance, direct from the Jackson Family library, while it lasts.

96 Points – Jeb Dunnuck

“Made by Laura Díaz (formerly at Lokoya) and coming mostly from valley floor fruit, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Pleinair is a sexy, flamboyant beauty that boasts a deep purple color, a huge nose of cassis and blueberry fruits, a complex floral character, full body, and a pure, elegant, yet pleasure-bent style that’s already a joy to drink. Drink 2019-2034.”