Today’s 2010 was made from fruit sourced from Beckstoffer and other famous name vineyards (that we cannot mention by name)….

Today’s wine is a first for us, a late harvest Cabernet from Napa’s glorious 99 point (Wine Spectator) 2010 vintage. This Taddei Wines 2010 Late Harvest Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was picked very ripe - and then spent 6 full years in new French oak barrels, to create a very special aperitif that we’re gaga over.

Extremely deep garnet to the very edge. The more the wine opens the more that it has a tawny port-like nose: It is very nutty, with a rich vanilla profile. A beautiful sandalwood fragrance lingers as well. Very much a late harvest with cooked fruit aromas.

Tastes like a port on the palate as well - it’s hard to believe this isn’t a fortified wine! Extremely rich vanilla and gingerbread. Nutty here too, but the fruit is brighter and fresher than the nose with pluot and fig coming in strong near the finish. Where this wine is most enjoyable is that while it has very much the flavor profile of a port, it has the mouthfeel of a regular red wine as well as the structure. It isn’t at all syrupy even at 4.5 brix and instead has soft acids with slightly chewy tannin. Dessert, please! You’ll want to make sure that you saved room. Serve with a classic french vanilla bean sundae to compliment the profile of the wine.

It is important to note that Wine Spectator Magazine’s editor in chief, James Laube issued a stellar 99 point score to the 2010 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon vintage. 2010 Napa Cabs are becoming increasingly difficult to find, given their value.

Postscript: We’ve gotten to know Chris Taddei - and his amazing wines - over the last decade of featuring them here. We’re always impressed with the quality and consistency of his craft. When Chris offered us the opportunity to be the first to sell this unique and wonderful wine, we lept at the chance.