Double Agent Monday

“Kevin Kinsella and winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown craft rich, sumptuous reds from Kinsella’s estate vineyards in Dry Creek Valley.” – Vinous

Bigfoot and cyclops. Flying saucers and fireflies.

All reputed to be real by some.

But I have my doubts.

And until today I doubted you could ever see a Thomas Rivers Brown Cab anywhere near $45.

Go on, take a look - but don’t spend to long hunting for this vinous Yeti. You won’t find it anywhere else but here.

And yet, here we are with another reality-shifting offer from a top-tier producer. KINSELLA ESTATES is back for a second go-round. And this time, we finagled the price down even lower than the first time.

Most of the time you need to “acquire” a wine by Thomas Rivers Brown (of Schrader, Outpost, Gemstone, Kinsella, Rivers-Marie fame…) In winespeak that means “if you wait long enough, and we deem you worthy, we’ll allow you to pay a handsome sum for a small allocation.”

Today we’re breaking down the walls and everyone from the highborns to the hoi polloi can get in on this treat from one of the best winemakers in the game.

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate has the backstory… “Kevin Kinsella’s many achievements include a highly successful career in venture capital and the vision to provide early funding for the hit musical “The Jersey Boys.” Kinsella has set his sights to making wine with the assistance of noted winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown… This estate remains somewhat under the radar, but the high quality emanating from their vineyards in Dry Creek merits serious attention.”

Having a top-selling Broadway show gives you the means to create a top-shelf winery and bring in top-tier talent - like TRB. And he just does not work with any old winery. He wants the best of the best, and Kinsella fits the mold.

They’ve racked up countless high scores on their flagship Cabernets. “K2” represents the second wine of Kinsella and it’s a 100% estate-grown blend of two flagship vineyards, the aptly named Jersey Boys and Spencer, with each making their own single vineyard flagship expressions that cost about triple this. Add the “Midas Touch” of TRB as coined by Wine Spectator, and it sure punches way above its price point.

If you’re a fan of Buccella’s Mica or the Double Diamond offering from Schrader, this is right in your wheelhouse. It’s a little less inky and full throttle than the Double Diamond, but definitely brings that flashy style to the table. Loaded with purple/blue fruit, black plums, sweet violets, dark black cherries, cassis, and bittersweet cacao. With smooth, round, sweet tannins, and a precise acidity, making for an incredibly easy drinking - but 100% serious wine.

A $45, TRB-made Cab is a rare sight, and to quote Jim Cramer, this is a “BUY, BUY, BUY!!”