Mission Codename Chop chop
Fun, mindblowing fact #1: T-shirt is short for “tyrannosaurus shirt”. Because of the arms. Get it?
Fun, mindblowing fact #2: This reserve Cabernet was $90 once upon a time. Now it’s $30.
That’s 67% OFF some prime-time Napa Cabernet. Last year we brought you the Erickson & Caradin “Craftsman and Wolves” Cabernet, a similarly styled, similarly massively discounted wine.
And every last bottle vanished in hours.
You probably haven’t heard of this label. That’s because it’s a small project that was originally sold only to friends and restaurants. And being locals in the industry, now it’s our hands. Super low key and not much is known (or revealed) but we do know a few things. Production is tiny, just a few hundred cases, using fruit sourced from a couple of rows in two vineyards, one in Atlas Peak, the other in St. Helena, that must remain unnamed. Kevin Morrisey is the winemaker, who worked at Petrus (!), Ehlers Estate, Etue, and Stag’s Leap - so you know he has the chops.
So how does a freshly released Cabernet like this land in our hands for such a fat discount? Sometimes these grand visions and private labeled wines simply don’t pan out as hoped. But that’s good news for you! And what does it taste like? Formidable and lush, with dried Bing cherry, cassis, sweet cigar, spice, and leather joining forces in a sappy, seductive richness. Terrifyingly easy to drink, even at this young age. But it will develop for years.
Finally, we must emphasize one last thing. DON’T WAIT ANOTHER SECOND - Napa Cabernet goes fast around these parts. Won’t last the day… maybe not the morning, even.
Tasting Profile
Dried Bing cherry, cassis, sweet cigar, spice, leather
Look | Deep, opaque ruby bordering purple on the glowing rim |
---|---|
Smell | Dried Bing cherry, cassis, sweet cigar, spice, and leather |
Taste | Formidable and lush, with a sappy, seductive richness |
Finish | Long and terrifyingly easy to drink, even at this young age |
Pairing | It will develop for years, or needs a fat, juicy and fancy burger |
What the Winery Says
2018 Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
- Winemaker
- Kevin Morrissey
- Vintage
- 2018
- Varietal
- 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Appellations
- Atlas Peak & St. Helena, Napa Valley
- Alcohol
- 15.2%
- Aging
- 24 months
- Barrels
- 70% new French oak
- Production
- 11 barrels