We were going about our usual tasting panel session when that love at first sip of a Gratus wine first happened. Not only were all their wines off the charts tasty, but this Malbec. Boy, oh boy, this Malbec! Agent Noir, who, over his two-plus decades of tasting all Malbecs that matter from around the world numerous times, concluded that this was the most seductive Malbec he’s ever had. As in FAR more impressive than many a Cabernet from Napa! Read on and you’ll know why… But first, here’s what we found in that chalice of an ethereal elixir…

Dark as a moonless, starless night sky with a shimmering narrow lip flowing between ruby and purple. Exhilarating sweet blueberry pie, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and a potpourri of spice and flowers define the dizzying nose. Full, lush yet refreshing on the palate with monstrous tannins at the same time, and a captivating savory edginess that leaves you yearning for more. A kiss of exotic cedar, cigar box, and tobacco comingle with a seemingly endless, seamlessly long finale as it ever so slowly fades away a good minute into the finish. While this is voluminous enough to pair with the richest cuisines, it’s too sublime to not sip on its own. The trouble is it’s irresistible and before you know it, the bottle is gone.

Some wines have it all. This one not only is a true knockout, but it also has a very, very special winemaker behind it. Robbie Meyer attained his notoriety at the very top of the wine world, working at Peter Michael Winery, Lewis Cellars, and Jericho Canyon. He then began his consulting career and started his own label Peirson Meyer. In praise of Robbie, a “deeply impressed” Robert Parker wrote of his; “stunning array of small quantities of high-quality wines” and Antonio Galloni added that they are; “classy, distinctive and reasonably priced, something that is increasingly rare in Napa Valley.”

We must express our gratitude to Gratus too, for not submitting this vintage to the press, as they do not with many of their wines. When Wine Enthusiast got a hold of the 2015 vintage, they highlighted it as a Cellar Selection with 94 points, as; “From an estate site in Pope Valley that rises to an elevation of 1,000-feet, this impresses in high-toned raspberry and cassis fruitiness, accompanied by an aromatic note of violet. Well-structured and full-bodied, it has secondary characteristics of cedar and dried herb, the oak supportive and not in the way. This will do well in the cellar.” Reflecting the impeccable 2017 vintage, this takes things up a few notches too! If it had received the massive score it most certainly deserves, we would not be looking at it, nor would you have a shot to grab all you can with 50% savings. Trust us, there’s nothing out there for $35 anywhere near this Malbec.