In the realm of Napa Valley, Joel Aiken is as close to a deity as winemakers get. His magic touch has transformed first Inglenook, then BV (Beaulieu Vineyards) though a 3-decade imprint that is nothing short of legendary. Calling this wine “monumental” barely does justice and only scratches the surface of our respect and admiration when it stood out tall and elegant like the Eiffel Tower amongst tough company at a high-end Cabernet Tasting Panel session.

Black and blue, with purple and crimson peeking through the highlighted shadows. Smoky minerals engulfed in spicy Mexican chocolate and bold Bing cherries galore define the classy aromatics. The superb mouthfeel leaves words not enough to describe the impeccable balance and intensity here. A silky delivery of massive impact within a soft embrace on a seamless, poetic finale wraps it all up in one striking impression lingering effortlessly. Worthy to cellar for decades, yet this beauty is irresistible today with classics like Beef Stroganoff.

As if Aiken’s peerless winemaking wizardry isn’t enough, his vineyard manager is a fellow alchemist and venerable veteran Phil Coturri. His client list is a Who’s Who of Cult Cabs, all grown organically: Andy Erickson (of Screaming Eagle, etc.), Bob Levy (of Harlan Estate) and the Pinault family, owners of Araujo Estate and Château Latour in Bordeaux. With this dynamic duo and the conservative 96-point accolade by Robert Parker’s protégé Jeb Dunnuck, this tiny stash we were able to get allocated for our most discerning Operatives will deplete as fast as that unidentifiably swift exotic car on an Autobahn’s left lane. And we all will henceforth be achin’ for more Aiken.

Here’s what the wine press has to say:

96 Points – Jeb Dunnuck - “These wines are made by Joel Aiken who began his career in 1980 at Inglenook. He then worked for Beaulieu Vineyard from 1982 to 2009, when he created his own Aiken label. As I hope the reviews show, these are beautiful wines. True blockbuster stuff is the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville, which comes from the Oakville Ranch on the west side of the Valley. Aged 20 months in 75% new French oak with a deep purple color and sumptuous notes of violets, crème de cassis, white chocolate, and hints of graphite, this full-bodied, opulent, seamless Cabernet Sauvignon is capable of lasting 20+ years. Drink 2018-2043.”