“There’s no way…”

That was Agent Rhône’s response when Noir said he was pretty sure Russell Bevan made this.

It seemed unlikely with that asking price - a prime mountain Cabernet from an excellent vintage, made by the famed 100 point winemaker lauded per Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate as making “full-throttle, ultra-ripe Napa Valley Cabernets that reflect their maker’s personality and have earned their place as part of the Valley’s culture for their exuberance and bold, hedonistic flavors?”

But a quick text message confirmed it was indeed his handiwork. And not just that. He added, quote, “I have always loved that wine.”

Reading through some of the recent vivino reviews confirmed what we thought “This held up well against some big boys at a blind tasting… great value wine that is a no brainer.””

Along with other snippets like:

“REAAALLY rocks for the price - this will outperform much more expensive Napa wines!”

“Long aging potential.”

“Outstanding. Still holding strong.”

All facts. All reflected what we tasted in this 2015 vintage, which was one of the better years in the last decade, rated 97 points by Wine Advocate for Cabs described as “Extraordinary. Early maturing and accessible” just like this one.

Not surprising, given Bevan’s well-earned reputation. He crafts some of the biggest, baddest, and most expensive wines in Napa. Whether under his eponymous label, Bevan Cellars, his new venture with his wife, Adversity Cellars, or the other labels he consults on like Carter, Tench, Lerner, Harbison… You simply cannot go wrong with any of them.

But you can spend a LOT more than the $44 you see here. In fact, this might be the most affordable Bevan-made Cab we’ve ever come across…

And now, after 10 years, it’s tipping into midlife. But no crisis in sight. The fruit remains well-framed, pronounced, and ready to please with dried black plums, mission figs, and cassis. But it has that extra development of exotic woods, dried tobacco, a touch of black olive, roasted herbs, and toasted vanilla bean as well. Fully resolved, and soft tannins frame it well, carrying it into a long finish. It’s big, robust, and if you know and love Bevan’s style, you’ll dig it.

Sadly, we have much less of this one than typical offers, and we’ll be lucky if it lasts into the early afternoon. Get it while you can!