Operatives. We have big news. Are you sitting down? Are you ready to get giddy? Or, at the very least, jump for joy?

The one, the only, THE winemaker, Dr. Richard G. Peterson has graced us with his presence and his latest Napa Valley Cab!

As the inaugural Screaming Eagle winemaker and the brilliant mind behind our bestselling winery of all-time on Wine Spies - Hawk and Horse - we have a special place in our hearts for Dr. Peterson. And the 2018 Summers Calistoga Reserve is no exception to the excellence we’d expect from his highness!

If you still aren’t aware of Doc’s legacy, maybe start with his award-winning book The Winemaker which chronicles the rise of the American wine industry and his integral part of it all. He started working for Gallo back in 1958 and took over for André Tchelistcheff’s at Beaulieu Vineyards from 1968 to 1973 and helped develop Atlas Peak Vineyards. He actually was ‘the man’ that Jean Phillips turned to when she sought help to create what would become Screaming Eagle, which his dear daughter, the venerable Heidi Peterson Barrett continued, along with numerous other Napa Cult wines under his belt since.

His resume is beyond impressive. Before retirement, he presided over numerous institutions including the American Society for Enology & Viticulture, The Wine Institute, the Society of Wine Educators, and the American Institute for Wine and Food.

The wine itself is an obvious creation from the master. Rich, dark fruit with spice and layers of luscious dark berries and savory dried herbs. Think dark purple in the glass and gobs of currants, cherries, cocoa powder, and baking spices. The toasty oak plays perfectly with firm tannins and ample acidity. This one is beautiful now and will develop with elegance and ease for 15 years.

60% OFF?!

Of course, a near-perfect vintage like 2018 helped make this a major winner, too. According to Wine Spectator with a 99 points rating, it is after all the greatest harvest in Napa since 1997, “a spectacular year with wines that are rich and dark, but detailed, restrained in style and very terroir-driven.”

And if our historic Hawk & Horse sellouts of the past are any indication, this will not last the day!