Double Agent Thursday…

Whoa, Nelly! What happened to that barrel of Howell?! It’s one of those things Operatives, just a barrel made, but so damn good you KNOW it will sell out fast but you just can’t not share with those who appreciate, and swift enough to jump on it as rapidly as you surely did. If you missed out, we may have found just the perfect consolation prize.

Luckily, Mr. White at Playground Cellars has many other attractions lined up in his, err, playground! To continue the fun and games, here is another great discovery from the same single vineyard series, and the same outstanding 2017 harvest, this time with a ‘whopping’ – insert sarcasm - 5 barrels made. Now, if the Beatty is the rugged mountain dweller, this Anomaly is refined as they come, as expected from the neighborhood of the finest St. Helena sophisticates such as Marciano Estate of Guess fame ($250+ a pop) as the vineyard right next door and the 100-pointer overachiever classicist Spottswoode (likewise at $200 and up nowadays) just a stone’s throw away. Oh, almost forgot to mention that the owner of the vineyard charges $130 for the same fruit!

Striking medium-deep ruby with significant gradience to a fire engine red rim. Blackberries galore on the Bordeaux-esque nose, with shaved dark chocolate and newly sharpened pencil. Ultrafine tannins conceal the deep, ripe black fruits that come alive midpalate. Very long on the broadly swathed finish, velvety-textured with the perfect balance of freshness and richness. For pairings, go game, be it wild boar, or venison, or a rare bird, ideally roasted with balsamic figs.

Playground Cellars is a true “garagiste” style operation, literally born from a garage as Joe White and his wife began making wine for their personal consumption. Joe also serves as assistant winemaker at the illustrious Brown Estate so he knows a thing or two about crafting serious wine. Sadly, he sells most of his production via a devout mailing list is what we hear, so this too may not last. St. Helena single-vineyard Cab under $40 is uncommon as a four-leaf clover!