In Oakville there’s a strip of asphalt literally named “Money Road”.

And Castellucci’s Lira Vineyard sits just off to the side of it, within reach of Opus One and many other titans of industry.

The name seems fitting. As this wine fetched $250 on release.

If you were lucky enough to score some of the 2022 when we offered it, you know what a great deal this is! (If not, check out Mark Stephens’s Battle of the Bottles post in our FB group!)

And consider this – 2023 is the first vintage their wine was fully made by Philippe Melka!!!

They make just a few barrels of each wine and for us to have ANY, let alone for nearly TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS OFF…is wild.

That price, if we’re being honest, is right in line with many Oakville hitters. From Opus to Harlan to Plumpjack and TOR, parting with a few Benjamins for a bottle of primetime Oakville Cab seems to be the norm.

Getting one of those for $55 however, is rare as hen’s teeth.

Antonio Castelucci, originally from Italy, made his money in Bay Area real estate before setting his sights on Napa Valley. Over time he’s locked down 50 acres of prime land holdings. But the Lira Vineyard is the showpiece of his collection. Surrounded by some of the best acreage in Oakville, the small 6.5-acre vineyard is carefully farmed each year, and this wine pulls fruit from two specific blocks, E and F, to build an immense Cabernet that struts its stuff with the best of the best.

In 2023 they shifted their winemaking to Atelier Melka’s 100-point team. The greatest care is taken to showcase their prime Oakville terroir – no shortcuts, no compromises, and a laser focus on everything from farming to bottling to ensure the absolute best wine is made.

Popping the cork is all you need to affirm this indeed sits with the tippy top shelf. It’s got a bold nose that’s not afraid to slap you around to get your sole attention. Brooding black fruit, densely packed with dark chocolate, espresso, toast, crème caramel, and sweet spices with dusty herbs on the finish. It’s full bodied and firmly tannic – a prime example of why 2023 is a legendary vintage.

Buy some for now and some for the next 10-years. But hurry!

At $55 this is a total no-brainer. And as guaranteed a sell out as we can predict. Move quick!