Some people might consider Lake County the cousin-brother to Napa. But guess what? They make some REALLY GOOD WINE. Here’s the irrefutable proof.

And the best part? The prices! This one FLOORED us. I mean, 94 POINT Cab. For $20?!

It’s worth repeating. TWENTY DOLLARS. $20. Two. Zero. Unreal.

This should be required drinking and needs to be a default wine in your rotation. We’re urging you to back the truck up, and pile em’ in until the springs are sagging, and the rear is dragging!

How do they do it?? Well, for starters they have Cabernet specialist Chad Alexander as winemaker.

He’s been at it for a quarter century, helping put Robert Craig and Hess Collection on the map. Plus, plenty of other side projects (Dolum, Perrin & Dobbs, etc.) He seems to always max the scales on both ends of value and quality.

Then there’s Red Hills. “Why the rush on the Red Hills?” asks San Francisco Chronicle “To find the answer, look south.” they continue, “Just north of the Napa County border, the Red Hills AVA shares many of that more famous region’s crucial characteristics, not least of which is the Mayacamas mountain range, running uninterrupted from the city of Napa through Obsidian Ridge and beyond. Yes, the Red Hills are higher in elevation, less humid and warmer than most parts of Napa, but in a literal sense they are a continuation of Napa’s western hillsides… The more that Napa Valley hillsides grew out of reach for would-be vintners, the better the Red Hills started to look.”

“This is volcano country” they underline: “The rocks are obsidian, a silica-heavy glass that formed near the end of the eruption cycle of nearby Mount Konocti, last active about 11,000 years ago. Those red soils, too, are the product of Mount Konocti, which once smothered its radius with blazing, mineral-rich lava…” And what grows on these unique soils? Think Napa, on steroids, but for less. Like A LOT less.

So, let’s be clear about one thing - this is a luscious, satisfying, hedonistic style. Gushing with ripe, sweet black cherries and alpine strawberries. That hefty kiss of 20% Zinfandel does wonders to the grippy, firm tannins of the driving Cabernet, concocting a mélange of blackcurrant, raspberries, and vanilla crème brûlée. Add to that a gush of flowers and minerals surmounting to a towering finish. All that for how much? Seriously?!

We strapped cases to our roof AND used the back seats. Now it’s your turn.

94 Points – The Tasting Panel

“Chalky tannins and wild strawberry and ripe boysenberry are sturdy notes. As the wine’s sweet soul emerges, candied violets and a hint of fig bran muffin satisfy. With a touch of baking spice on the finish, this one is a super sipper.”