“A very solid value in the world of Napa Valley Cabernet.” – Vinous

Wonder what Galloni would say about our price if he saw it today…

At the original $70, these wines go toe-to-toe with some of the shockingly expensive Napa Valley cult Cabs. For $33, the competition is, well…purely imaginary.

You’re getting a super sleek, polished, purely unabashed pure Napa Cabernet with impeccable sourcing. Fruit comes from the Cardinale estate, Bosché (of Freemark Abbey), Stagecoach (Paul Hobbs, etc.) and Red Hen (Araujo-owned), along with a couple of other select sites. Pleinair, in French, means ‘to paint outdoors’, which is exactly what this wine accomplishes, capturing wide brushstrokes of the best Napa has to offer into one gorgeous canvas.

Chockful of ripe cherry, plum, currant, and spicy undertones, turning elegant and polished, finishing with a long, fruity, dusty aftertaste. There’s something intangibly sublime in the way this represents the best of the Valley, reminding us of music compilations that speak volumes for the greatest hits of a year, like that perfect mix of songs and sounds that only a great DJ or a gifted winemaker can assemble.

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

Perfect provenance, direct from the Jackson Family library while it lasts at this insane price.

91 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“The 2017 Pleinair Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a very deep garnet-purple color and bursts from the glass with crushed blueberries, black cherry compote and boysenberries with touches of raisin cake, Chinese five spice and potpourri. Full-bodied, rich and spicy in the mouth, it has lovely freshness and a lovely bit of chew texturing the finish. Drink 2020-2032.”

91 Points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous

“The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Pleinair is racy, silky and super-expressive. Sweet floral and spice notes give the 2017 pretty aromatic top notes and brightness. This is a very solid value in the world of Napa Valley Cabernet, marked by plush red fruit and floral notes. Drink 2022-2032.”