Sunday, fun day knockout sub-$20 Napa Cabernet alert! The wine world lost Dennis Martin only two summers ago. On a brighter note, his fruitful, long life was filled with momentous wines, including those that put Fetzer Vineyards on the map in the 1980s. His Sanctuary project is the culmination of 30+ years of winemaking, with a clear understanding that it takes nothing but great fruit and minimal intervention to achieve vinous distinction. This monumental Cabernet is one of his last masterpieces, a swan song if you will.

A deeper shade of sanguine red with a crimson rim and a focused luminescence. The evocative perfume is with an exotic whiff of cedar, tobacco, and incense build to lush blackberries and licorice. Black cherry laced Tellicherry peppercorns are enveloped on the palate in lush and velvety tannins. A simultaneously dark and bright wine, with an imposing grip of dusty cocoa and currant. Obvious calling for a rare ribeye, while it could be fascinating with chocolate cake.

The Sanctuary and Fetzer wines will continue to please their fans, but this Operatives, is our one last close look at Dennis Martin’s brilliant touch. We beseech you fervently, pile up and toast his soul for decades to come. This ultra-premium Napa Cabernet is just $19.99, and being from a near perfect- 97 points by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate - 2015 vintage it’s also terrifically age-worthy. Say carpe diem with us and take ‘sanctuary’ to experience the legendary Rutherford Dust for a song!

Here’s what the wine press has to say.

An off-the-hook value - Jeb Dunnuck - “Plenty of spicy cedar, currants, and cherry aromas and flavors, medium body, a supple, forward texture and no hard edges. As Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon goes, it’s an off-the-hook value and straight up delicious.”

90 Points - Wine Spectator - “Elegant and pleasantly understated, with a supple mix of creamy oak, currant, black licorice and dark berry flavors, maintaining a mix of charm and finesse. Drink now through 2030.”