Today’s WIA goes to the “Up & Coming Region of the Year: Suisun Valley!”

A decade ago, we’d all be like: Sui what? Who’s sun? But when visionaries ranging from Chuck Wagner to Jean Hoefliger here put all they have into a region that appears like a natural southeasterly extension to Napa Valley, you can’t help but realize the immense potential for quality AND value here.

How about TWO “outstanding” scores to represent this appellation’s rising stars? Hailing from the absolute off-the-meter 2016 vintage. Superb price too, thanks to an OVER %50 OFF break. Absolutely BANANAS!

If you’ve had GrapeHeart, you already know the secret…

Suisun Valley is indeed just over the Vaca Mountains ridge from Napa Valley, roughly one Aaron Judge home run away. Similar terroir. Similar weather. Similar everything, really. Except for name recognition.

That means growing the fruit costs less. WAY less. The quality though? It’s right up there. Caymus has a brand-new winery there (and maybe you’ve had some of their wines, like the recently offered Emmolo or The Walking Fool.) The terroir is pretty much the same as Napa, it’s been an AVA since 1982.

Checked out already? You’re savvy and swift. Still need a little more convincing?

Let’s name drop. JEAN HOEFLIGER. The guy behind how many 95+ point showstopping wines?? His tenure includes AXR, Alpha Omega, The Debate, Michel Rolland, Newton, Harbison, and some other rockstar labels.

He’s a first-class winemaker, to be sure, and definitely leaves his mark on this 100% Cabernet. One sip and any doubt you had remaining vanishes.

GrapeHeart is a small husband and wife project out of Suisun Valley, which is just a stone’s throw away from Napa. Proprietors Ramzi and Isabel Deeik donate a portion of all GrapeHeart sales proceeds to the American Heart Association. They have a 40-acre estate, where they make some of the best value wines we’ve tasted - and that’s before we hit you with the massive discount!

This 100% Cab was hand-picked, raised in 100% French oak, half new, for 22 months, and is just hitting a perfect peak enjoyment window. All the good stuff - dense, dark plums and boysenberries, black cherry compote, with sweet cedar, melted dark chocolate, cigar box, and spice all mingling around. Plush, soft tannins and lifting acidity keep the towering structure from toppling under the weight of the fruit.

Just a few hundred cases made. We took what they’d spare but have barely enough for an offer, so make your move!

91 Points – Jeb Dunnuck

“Another outstanding wine is the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, which is 100% Cabernet from the estate vineyard. It has impressive notes of black cherries, leafy herbs, and lead pencil in a rounded, beautifully elegant, charming style that’s already drinking nicely. It should keep for 10-15 years. Drink 2019-2034.”

91 Points – James Suckling

“A juicy and fruity Cab with pretty plum and chocolate. Hints of almonds. Medium to full body. Easy Cab. Drink now.”