Cellar Stocker: Napa Knockout continues to steam ahead, this time with another mountain Cab from Girard.

Today we’re rolling out the red carpet for a collection of ICONIC Cabernets from the motherland we call Napa Valley.

We quietly assembled 10 epic wines from the peaks of Spring Mountain, up the slopes of Howell, down to Stags Leap, and beyond. The full force of Napa’s lush and verdant winegrowing region is on display, with top producers, huge scores from the pros, and unbelievable pricing. We are SO LOCKED IN!!

You’ll find Opus One, Girard and Robert Craig to name a few - assembled in one place like the Avengers to protect your dwindling cellar supply and warm the hearts of our Cabernet-loving Operatives.

For number 5, we return to Girard, and stay high elevation.

Girard is a stalwart in the Napa wine scene, with 40+ years on the block. They make an assortment of Cabs, each one representing a particular AVA. Classical and elegant in style, with a Bordeaux sensibility on one side but also driven by pure intensity and power that only Napa can provide. And these wines surely overdeliver by a long shot at our prices today.

Winemaker Glenn Hugo cut his teeth at Provenance, before working under Tom Rinaldi at Sedna and Fleury Estate Winery. From there he landed at Girard, and the rest is history. But winemaking is only a small piece here - every aspect of the winery is meticulously managed. From state of the art equipment and technology, unique barrels for each wine’s needs, and an obsession with farming practices, the entire process is managed to such a high degree.

For this mountain wine we head to Southern Napa, on the Vaca Mountain range side, and up to Atlas Peak. Home to Stagecoach, a stomping ground of John Kongsgaard and the home to other famed producers like Reverie, VinRoc and more.

Still fairly primary, but quite rich, extracted and rowdy. It comes with pixelated flavors that merge together like one of those magic eye pictures. Black and red fruited, with cassis and blackberry compote coming through. Cured meats, raw coffee beans, and toasted oak from the 100% new French oak bring the noise as well. It’s still young, but in a few years it will only improve as the elements meld together. It’s a big, muscular, young, mountain-bred Napa Cab though - you knew that.

And like the previous Howell, the price is just ridonkulous - $120 at the winery and under $50 from us. Who loves ya?

92 Points – James Sucking “A fresh and silky wine with currant and blackberry character. Medium to full body, fine tannins and a crisp finish. Shows finesse and focus for the vintage. Drink or hold.”